August 23, 2022 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 23.08.2022, 20:00

BLACK RIBBON DAY – The Day of
Remembrance for the Victims of Fascism and Communism is the best opportunity to
pay tribute to all those who experienced the horrors of totalitarian regimes
and to reiterate our firm commitment to reject extremism, intolerance and
hatred, said president Klaus Iohannis in a statement. He recalled that on August
23, 1939, the entire world, not just Central and Eastern Europe, was condemned
to a cruel future, adding that the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was a criminal
conspiracy in the wake of which entire generations were exposed to the toxic
and barbarian effects of totalitarian ideologies with grave long-term
consequences. Iohannis also spoke of King Michael I’s decision to break off
Romania’s alliance with Hitler’s Germany on August 23 1944 and to join the
United Nations, a decision which contributed to shortening the war. August 23
was established by the European Parliament in 2008 as a Europe-wide Day of
Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, also
known as Black Ribbon Day.

UKRAINE – The Parliament and Government
buildings in Bucharest were on Tuesday lit blue and yellow to mark the
Ukrainian Flag Day and the Ukrainian Independence Day. Romanian authorities are
thus reasserting their solidarity, joining initiatives designed to boost
international support for this country. Romania has taken a firm position
together with Ukraine and against the unprovoked, illegal and irrational
military aggression launched by Russia. Our solidarity with Ukraine is owed not
just to geographical proximity, but to democratic values and principles
underlying the resistance of our Ukrainian neighbors, Prime Minister Nicolae
Ciucă said in a press release. The Romanian official pointed out Romania will
continue to support Ukraine and provide a home to people who are forced to flee
their homeland due to the war.

DROUGHT – The Mediterranean regions
remain threatened by abnormal drought until November, when close to
normal conditions are expected in most of the EU, the European Commission
says. The areas worst hit by the lack of precipitation are central and southern
Portugal, the whole of Spain, the south of France, Hungary, Romania and the
Republic of Moldova. Linked by scientists to global warming, these
exceptionally hot and dry weather conditions have significantly reduced the
yield of summer crops, according to experts quoted by France Presse. The corn,
sun flower and soy harvests are worst hit.

EXPORT – In the first five months of
the year, Romania exported grain and grain-based products worth 2.155 billion
EUR, up 77% compared with the previous period last year, according to figures
published by the National Institute for Statistics. The largest amount of
exports was recorded in March. Between January and May, however, Romania also
imported grain and grain-based products worth 683.5 million EUR.

FORESTS – The National Forest Strategy
for 2030 which was unveiled on Monday at an event hosted by the Transylvania
University in Braşov lays emphasis on making owners themselves more responsible
and involved and proposes a new approach to checks and restrictions, said the environment
minister Tanczos Barna. He underlined that this new strategy was drafted in the
last two years with the help of forestry experts, NGOs, institutions and other
persons interested in this field and said this is a historic step
for Romanian forests. Expanding forested areas is one of the most important
elements of the strategy. Romania is the first country to present its forest
strategy after the publication of a similar document at European Union level.

AWARDS – The Government has decided to increase
by 50% financial awards bestowed to athletes reaping medals in international
competitions, Romania’s Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă has announced. The
Romanian official said a law would be adopted in next week’s government
meeting. Right now, this is all the budget allows us, and I hope your
achievements will also inspire us to report better economic and financial
results so as to reward your efforts appropriately, the Prime Minister told
athletes. In a special ceremony, government officials congratulated athletes
who grabbed medals at the European table tennis and rowing championships, as
well as at the world judo and fencing championships. (VP)