July 23, 2020
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Newsroom, 23.07.2020, 13:55
COVID-19 The large number of new coronavirus infections over the past few days in Romania prompted authorities to raise the alarm about the healthcare situation. The National Public Health Institute urges citizens to observe basic protection rules, including proper face covering and physical distancing, along with strict hand hygiene. On Thursday the Strategic Communication Group reported a record-high rate of COVID-19 infection in 24 hours, 1.112 new cases out of over 20,000 tests. The total number of cases in 5 months has exceeded 40,000. Over 5,500 patients are hospitalised, with nearly 300 in intensive care. Authorities also reported 25 new deaths, bringing the total death toll to over 2,126.
NATO The Cincu Training Centre in central Romania is today hosting a ceremony devoted to the establishment of NATOs Headquarters Multinational Division South-East. Attending the event are president Klaus Iohannis, defence minister Nicolae Ciucă, and chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Daniel Petrescu. A drill involving nearly 1,000 troops and 200 vehicles will follow the ceremony. The exercise is designed to improve the integration and performance of complex military actions. The NATO Headquarters Multinational Division South-East has been set up in order to coordinate the structures deployed in this region, security strategy expert Alexandru Grumaz explained for Radio Romania. Over 400 high-ranking officers from various NATO member countries will work in Sibiu starting this autumn. With the establishment of the headquarters, NATOs entire south-east European flank will be coordinated from Sibiu, retired general Alexandru Grumaz said.
ECONOMY Accessing European funds was the key topic of Wednesday nights Government meeting in Bucharest, which focused on legislation facilitating the countrys economic recovery. The Cabinet also discussed options to grant non-reimbursable loans to SMEs and entrepreneurs, both for investments and working capital. Funds will also be granted to limited liability companies without employees, to self-employed professionals, cultural NGOs and to family physicians who treated COVID-19 patients. Another bill concerns the provision of funds for SMEs to lease equipment and tools. The 80 billion euros earmarked by the EU for Romania will be spent for national reconstruction, president Klaus Iohannis said prior to the Cabinet meeting, after a discussion with PM Ludovic Orban. The money will come from 2 sources, the EU 2021-2027 multiannual budget and the post-COVID-19 recovery fund. The first source will cover ongoing projects, and the money will be accessed under a national plan which is virtually ready, the head of state explained. The EU economic recovery plan provides access to 34 billion euros for Romania, especially in non-reimbursable funds and also in low-interest loans.
EU The European Parliament convenes today in a special session devoted to the multiannual budget and the economic recovery plan, endorsed on Tuesday by the EU leaders. Attending the session will be the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the Council president Charles Michel. Political groups in the EP have agreed on a resolution to be adopted by Parliament. MEPs will ask for clarifications regarding the connection between accessing EU funds and the rule of law, after this issue was left unanswered by the EU leaders at this weeks summit, the EP president David Sassoli said on Wednesday, quoted by Reuters. He added that the multiannual budget must be able to cover the main challenges facing Europe in the medium run, such as the green deal, digitisation, economic vulnerabilities and fighting inequities. Previously, EU leaders agreed on setting up a European recovery fund worth 750 billion euros and on the Unions budget for 2021-2027, amounting to 1,074 billion euro, but their official statement includes no reference to making access to funds conditional on observing the rule of law.
FOOTBALL The Bucharest-based club FCSB last night won the Romanian Football Cup, after defeating Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe 1-0 on neutral ground in Ploieşti. FCSB thus booked its place in the Europa League qualifiers, alongside another Romanian team, FC Botosani. The national football championship is also drawing to an end, after being suspended in March over the coronavirus pandemic and resumed last months. Topping the charts is CSU Craiova, followed by defending champions CFR Cluj. All football matches in Romania are played without public access. (translated by: Ana Maria Popescu)
