August 24, 2017
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Newsroom, 24.08.2017, 13:30
MACRON — A reform of the status and rights of workers in the European Union, one of the foundations of his election campaign, is the aim of the tour of Central and Eastern Europe French President is making this week. After visiting Austria yesterday, Emmanuel Macron is today visiting Romania, where he is meeting President Klaus Iohannis. Talks will focus on developing bilateral relations and the strategic partnership as well as on hot topics on the European and international security agenda. Emmanuel Macron and Klaus Iohannis will have an open dialogue about boosting trade and exchanges under the 2018-2019 Romania-France season, an important bilateral project. Another topic on the agenda for talks is Romania’s Schengen accession.
MILITARY — A Romanian infantry battalion has started a six-month operation in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan. The Romanian military are to undergo an accommodation period and are expected to be fully operational by the end of the month. The battalion will take part in three important missions NATO is carrying out in Afghanistan as part of its Resolute Support operation: protecting Kandahar airport, ensuring the security of the airport premises and accompanying high-ranking officials. At present some 626 Romanian military are deployed to Afghanistan, making Bucharest the fourth-largest contributor to the North-Atlantic Treaty Organization.
DRILL — Romanian Naval Forces are conducting a joint military exercise in the Black Sea alongside the US battleship USS Porter. The exercise is due to end on August 28. USS Porter arrived on Tuesday in the port of Constanta.
MIGRANTS — 53 people, of which 16 children, were rescued by the Romanian border police on a mission to Greece as part of Poseidon Sea 2017, a FRONTEX maritime operation. The people were travelling on an overcrowded boat in the Aegean Sea, carrying Afghani, Irani and Iraqi nationals. They were safely transported to shore and handed over to the authorities in Chios port where ID-ed and registered. Since their deployment to Greece in January this year, the Romanian coast guard police have rescued over 900 people travelling in small-sized boats in Greek waters, both individually and as part of joint rescue operations.
ACCIDENT — Eight Romanian citizens sustain minor injuries in a car accident in northwestern Germany, the Foreign Ministry reports. A bus carrying 40 Romanians veered off road and capsized in Lower Saxony. According to the German Police, the majority of people on the bus were Romanian season workers. The Romanian Embassy in Berlin is working with the local authorities with a view to ascertaining the identity of the victims and the state of their health and is ready to offer any consular assistance.
FOOTBALL — Romanian champions Viitorul Constanta are today playing the return leg of the playoffs for the Europa League main group phase against Red Bull Salzburg away from home. In the first leg Viitorul lost 1-3 at home. On Wednesday, vice-champions FCSB lost 1-5 at home to Sporting Lisbon in the return leg of the playoffs for the Champions League main group phase. The first leg was a blank draw.
TENNIS — Two tennis players are taking part in the second preliminary round of the US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the year. In the first round, Mihaela Buzarnescu, 133 WTA, edged out Maria Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, and will take on Grace Min of the US in the next round. Irina Bara, 192 WTA won the first match after Myrtille George of France withdrew from the competition. Bara will play Bernarda Pera of the US in the next round. Alexandra Cadantu and Patricia Tig were eliminated in the first round. Another three Romanian players are in the US Open main draw: Simona Halep, Sorana Carstea and Ana Bogdan. US Open will kick off on August 28 and is offering 50 million dollars in prize money. (Translated by V. Palcu)
