August 29, 2017
Bucharest hosts the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy./Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors reject most of the proposed changes to the justice system.
Newsroom, 29.08.2017, 13:45
Justice — Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors have rejected most of the proposed changes to the justice system presented by the Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, which they see as a form of pressure exerted on their professional activity. The judicial reform plan, which comes 6 months after the left-of-centre government tried to loosen the anticorruption laws, stipulates, among other things, the narrowing of the powers of the National Anticorruption Directorate, which under the new bill would no longer be entitled to investigate judges. The proposed changes concern a variety of areas, from the procedure to appoint chief prosecutors to the set-up of a special unit to prosecute offences committed by magistrates. Also, under the proposed bills, the President would be left out of the procedure of appointing the chief prosecutors. On Sunday evening thousands of people took to the streets of the capital Bucharest and of several other cities in protest at the planned changes to the justice laws. Similar protests have been announced for next Sunday.
Diplomacy — Bucharest is hosting as of today the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy. The event that ends on Friday is a good opportunity to present the Foreign Ministry’s activity and to reflect on the future priorities of the Romanian diplomacy, in a regional, European and global context. The meeting includes talks on topical issues such as the future of the EU, Romania’s European agenda and its EU council presidency as well as international security and regional cooperation. The special guests of the meeting are Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó.
Brexit — The third round of Brexit negotiations is under way in Brussels. Britons are anxious to discuss future commercial accords with the community bloc, while the Europeans insist on prioritising key issues such as citizens rights and the UKs divorce bill. Michel Barnier, the EUs chief negotiator, suggested on Monday that Britain’s demands were unclear saying they need UK papers that were clear in order to have constructive negotiations. Britain will present in detail papers on issues ranging from customs arrangements to data sharing during this weeks talks. Government policy papers released last week show Britain would often seek to replicate closely existing arrangements with the EU.
United Nations – The United States, Japan and South Korea have requested a United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss North Korea’s firing of a missile over Japan, diplomats said on Monday. Japans warning system kicked in, advising citizens on its northern Hokkaido Island to take precautions, as the missile headed towards land. The missile later broke into three pieces and landed in the sea. The Japanese military made no attempt to shoot down the unidentified missile, but condemned the launch in the strongest terms possible. The Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has asked for further sanctions against North Korea.
Tennis — Romania’s best tennis player Simona Halep, no. 2 in the world, was defeated by Maria Sharapova, in the first round of the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year. Sharapova is ranked 145th because of her long layoff mandated by the imposed penalty for taking performance enhancing drugs. In August 2014 Simona Halep reached 2nd place in the WTA standings, the highest position ever held by a tennis player from Romania and has been in the top ten ever since.
(Translated by Elena Enache)
