April 22, 2014 UPDATE
For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here.
Florentin Căpitănescu, 22.04.2014, 12:05
REACTION — Romania did not and will never refuse a bilateral cooperation proposal from any EU Member State regarding the Roma minority, Romanian Minister for European Funds Eugen Teodorovici has said. The Romanian official went on to say that the European Parliament did not support the setup of a task force charged with managing the Roma issue. Teodorovici reacted to a statement of Swedish Minister for European Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson, who expressed her disappointment that Romanian authorities lack the will to cooperate at EU level with respect to the Roma minority. The Swedish official told the Austrian daily Der Standard that Romania refused the idea of setting up such as task force, because, she argues, it lacks the political will and administrative capacity to efficiently use EU funds. Roma discrimination is not specific to Romania alone, and is commonplace in several EU states, such as France or Hungary, Birgitta Ohlsson added.
UKRAINE — The situation remains tense in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists show no sign of being willing to accept the agreement signed last week in Geneva. Washington has warned it would impose fresh sanctions on Moscow unless headway is made towards solving the crisis. US vice-president Joe Biden is paying a visit to Kiev to express America’s support for the new Ukrainian authorities. The US official has announced that the presidential elections of May 25 will represent the most important ballot in the history of Ukraine. “Ukraine is confronted with humiliating threats and discouraging issues, but the US is ready to help Ukrainian leaders seize the opportunity of creating a united Ukraine”, the American official added. Addressing Ukrainian MPs, Biden also said the US would help Ukrainian economy, although Ukrainian authorities must fight corruption at home.
CRUISE SHIPS — Due to the tensions in Ukraine, over 40 cruise ships carrying American and German tourists will not be docking in Odesa, but rather in Constanta, Romania. The first such ship, carrying over a thousand American tourists onboard, reached Constanta last week. Constanta, the largest Romanian port on the Black Sea, is on the regular route of another 70 ships.
EARTH DAY — Earth Day was celebrated on April 22 worldwide, this year the event focusing on the theme “Green Cities”. Earth Day is devoted to raising the awareness of millions of people worldwide towards creating a sustainable and healthy environment by making global communities more eco-friendly. At present over half of the world’s population lives in cities. In over 190 countries public events were devoted to saving the planet.
NOMINATION — Serbian president Tomislav Nikolic on Tuesday nominated Conservative leader Aleksandar Vucic as the country’s new Prime Minister, following last month’s snap elections, France Press reports. If he is sworn in, Vucic will need to implement harsh economic reforms, such as the restructuring of the state budget system. In addition, the new Cabinet will need to continue negotiations with a view to normalizing relations with neighbouring Kosovo and EU accession talks. The investiture vote is scheduled at the end of this week.
SELECTION — The short film L1-L5, directed by Letitia Rosculet and staring Ana Ularu as the female lead has been selected in the Short Film Corner section at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, alongside other Romanian films. Short Film Corner addresses the short film market, while any participating film cannot compete in other sections of the Cannes Film Festival. The short film follows 60 days in the life of a woman who learns to live her life differently after surving a car accident. The 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will be held between May 14-25.
