13 July, 2015
News and Current Affairs
Newsroom, 13.07.2015, 11:59
Eurozone leaders have reached a historic accord with Greece on bailing that country out against fears that the EU country would abandon the single currency. It came after a marathon 16 hours of negotiations, the longest summit meeting in the history of the Eurozone. In exchange for financial rescue, Greece committed to reforms that may lead to economic growth and job creation. The measures have to be passed by the Greek Parliament by Wednesday. European Union leaders have saluted the accord, calling on Greece to observe its commitments. This meeting was preceded by a meeting of finance ministers, who issued a document for a possible new bailout package between 82 and 86 billion Euro. The Greek state now has debts amounting to over 320 billion Euro.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis starts today an official two day visit to Spain, invited by King Felipe VI. He will hold official talks with PM Mariano Rajoy and with representatives of businesses and the Romanian diaspora. Statistics indicate that Spain is home to over 900,000 Romanians, the largest minority in that country. Recently, a European association representing Romanians abroad complained to Romanian authorities regarding conditions faced by Romanians in Spain, such as difficulties in obtaining residence and the fact that they cannot get dual citizenship. Tomorrow, Iohannis meets the chairman of the Spanish Parliament, Pio Garcia-Escudero. This is the first official meeting for the two new heads of state, who both took office in 2014.
Romanian PM Victor Ponta today was interviewed by anti-corruption prosecutors, after he had his assets frozen. He is being investigated for forgery, conspiracy to aggravated tax evasion and money laundering, allegedly committed while a lawyer, as part of another case, against his party colleague, Social Democratic Senator Dan Sova. On Sunday, the Prime Minister, who is also head of the ruling Social Democratic party, said he would resign all party functions when the case is over. The Social Democratic leadership meets this week to analyze the situation created by the announcement. The opposition has once again called on the premier to step down.
Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu saluted today the accord reached by the EU with Greece on the bailout, on the occasion of Luxembourgs takeover of the EU presidency. The top Romanian diplomat said that the EU has proven on this occasion that it is able to find solutions for the most difficult crises.
Romanian tennis player Simona Halep is still number three in the world in the WTA standings, issued after the end of the Grand Slam in Wimbledon. Another star Romanian player, Alexandra Dulgheru, winner of the ITF competition in France, jumped 14 places, and is now 46th seeded, while Monica Niculescu, who reached the eighth finals, is now placed 41st, jumping 7 places. The fourth WTA top 100 Romanian player is Andreea Mitu, seeded 78th. Horia Tecau, who has just won the mens doubles at Wimbledon alongside Jean-Julien Rojer, is up two places in the standings, to reach 5th place. Florin Mergea, semi-finalist in the same competition, where he played alongside Rohan Bopanna, went up seven places, reaching 7th seed.
Romanias football champions, Steaua Bucharest, play on Tuesday away from home against AS Trencin of Slovakia in the second preliminary round of the Champions League. A young club, founded in 1992, AS Trencin played its way to the top in Slovakia lately. In the Europa League, in the second preliminary round on Thursday, two other Romanian teams are present, Astra Giurgiu and ASA Tg. Mures, who play against Scottish side Inverness CT and Polish side Legia Warsaw respectively.
