EP – The European Parliament convenes in a new plenary sitting in Strasbourg, as of today until Thursday. The meeting’s agenda includes topics such as violence against women, the revision of the EU’s Agricultural Policy and combating money laundering. Iran’s attack on Israel, the ban on the EU market for products manufactured through forced labor, the effects of the so-called Russian interference in the European Parliament, the assessment of the results of the Russian elections and the situation of the state of law in Hungary will also be discussed. The plenary sitting this week is the last one of the current European Parliament makeup, before the European elections on June 9.
VISIT – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has today started a three-day official visit to South Korea, the first country in the Asia-Pacific region which Romania has a strategic partnership with. Iohannis laid a wreath at the National Cemetery in Seoul. On Tuesday, he will be received by his counterpart, Yoon Suk Yeol. The political consultations will focus on issues related to the consolidation of the Strategic Partnership, political-diplomatic and defense cooperation, the main regional and global challenges and boosting trade and investments in various sectors. Among them are green and nuclear energy, new technologies, IT&C, environment and climate change management, infrastructure, health and education. The special inter-cultural exchanges, which have been consolidated in recent years, will also be emphasized. The Romanian President’s visit to South Korea is the first one, at the level of heads of state, in 16 years.
PARLIAMENT – The two chambers of the Bucharest Parliament are convening today in a joint session. The meeting’s agenda includes the requests of President Klaus Iohannis regarding the approval of the Romanian Army’s participation in the Prosperity Guardian maritime operation and in the operations carried out under the umbrella of the Black Sea Mine Action Task Force – MCM BLACK SEA, starting from 2024. Information from the head of state regarding the approval of the transit of equipment and material goods donated by Estonia to Ukraine, the training of the Ukrainian military and the approval of the participation of the Romanian Army in the European Union Maritime Security Operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES as of 2024, will also be discussed.
MILITARY – Three F-16 aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway, landed on Friday at the 71st Air Base “General Emanoil Ionescu” in Câmpia Turzii (center). It is the second series of three such devices bought by Romania from the Norway, the first being received last November. According to the Defense Ministry, through the 32 multirole F-16 aircraft that will endow, by the end of next year, two more squadrons of the Air Force, Romania is strengthening its air defense at a level adapted to the security challenges in the region.
BUCHAREST – The Romanian Minister of Finance, Marcel Bolos, is participating, today, at the Chamber of Deputies, in the Government Hour, during which he will provide details about the measures taken by the Government in the context of the public debt exceeding 50% of the GDP. Clarifications were requested by representatives of AUR (the sovereignist, ultranationalist opposition). The Finance Minister has recently had discussions in Washington DC with representatives of the rating agencies Standard&Poors and Moody’s about Romania’s economic particularities and strategies for ensuring macroeconomic stability.
HANDBALL – CS Minaur Baia Mare (north) was defeated by the Icelandic team Valur Reykjavik, 36-28, on Sunday evening, in Reykjavik, in the first leg of the semifinals of the men’s EHF European Cup. The return match will be held on April 28, in Baia Mare. The European Cup final will take place on May 18-19 (the first leg) and May 25-26 (the second leg). (EE)