November 15, 2013 UPDATE
A look at the main stories in Romania today.
România Internațional, 15.11.2013, 18:54
Romania-Republic of Moldova Romania sees it as its duty to become involved in the first line of support for the Republic of Moldova on its path to Europe, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta said in Brussels. He made this statement in a press conference held together with his Moldovan counterpart, Iurie Leanca and the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Durao Barroso. The latter thanked the Romanian prime minister for the consistent support granted by Romania to Moldova’s efforts towards European integration. Barroso also said he would propose the elimination of visas for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova at the upcoming summit in Vilnius. The joint visit to Brussels by the prime ministers of Romania and the Republic of Moldova comes two weeks ahead of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, where Moldova is expected to initial its EU Association Agreement.
Diplomacy Romania’s foreign minister Titus Corlatean travelled to Athens on Friday at the invitation of his counterpart Evangelos Venizelos, who also acts as deputy prime minister. Corlatean acknowledged Greece’s constant support for Romania’s entry into the Schengen area. The two officials also talked about economic cooperation, with bilateral trade exchanges seeing a slight increase in the last year, as well as European and regional aspects. Greece is to take over the EU rotating presidency on the 1st of January 2014, while Romania is currently holding the chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process.
Medal Romania’s president Traian Basescu on Friday awarded the National Order of Merit in rank of Officer to the Montenegrin Army in Podgorica. The distinction was granted in recognition of the professionalism, sense of duty and compassion shown by the Montenegrin Army towards the Romanian nationals involved in a road accident in June 2013. 18 Romanians were killed and almost 30 injured when their bus crashed into a precipice in Montenegro.
Trial The Supreme Court in Romania on Friday started the trial of deputy prime-minister Liviu Dragnea and 74 other persons accused of election fraud. Dragnea, who at the time was the secretary general of the ruling Social Democratic Party is accused of rigging the referendum on the impeachment of president Traian Basescu held in 2012 through multiple voting, “electoral tourism” and signature fraud. The referendum held in the summer of 2012 was declared invalid because voter turnout was below the required 50%, while the majority of those who turned up at the polls said “yes” to impeachment. Also on Friday, the prefect of the eastern county of Galati, Catalin Bocaneanu, was detained by the National Anticorruption Directorate prosecutors, being accused of trading in influence, blackmail, instigation to use information not meant for publication and abuse of office.
Football Romania have lost the first leg of their Brazil 2014 qualifier against Greece by a score of 3 to 1. The return leg will be played in Bucharest next Tuesday. Romania last qualified for the World Cup in 1998. Romania is looking to qualify for next year’s World Cup after finishing second in its qualifying group.
Rugby Romania’s national rugby team meet Canada on Saturday in one of their three test matches in November. Last week, Romania beat Tonga at home, 19-18. In their third match, Romania will be facing Fiji in Bucharest on the 23rd of November. Romania’s stated goal is to qualify for the 2015 World Cup hosted by London.
