August 3, 2024

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 03.08.2024, 13:55

Meeting. On Saturday, at the international meeting of ethnic Germans in Sibiu, central Romania, President Klaus Iohannis stated that that the commitment made under the Sibiu Declaration, at the 2019 Summit, remains valid especially in the ‘special, complex and serious conditions of the current period’, namely ‘ the need for a strong and secure Europe’. The head of state emphasized the contribution of the German minority to the development of modern Romania and called Romania a ‘blessed land of Europe’. About 12,000 Saxons from Europe and North America are participating in Sibiu in the second International Meeting of Saxons. The program includes over 50 cultural events: concerts, theater performances and traditional dances, film presentations, exhibitions, guided tours of the city.

Farmers. The Romanian Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, stated in a press conference on Friday, that compensations for the disasters caused by drought will be paid to farmers in October, so that they have resources for the autumn campaign. He specified that 2 million hectares of agricultural crops were affected, and the minimum amount offered by the state will be 200 euros per hectare. As regards ensuring the necessary grains in the context of this year’s drought, the minister assured that Romania has the necessary grains both for its own consumption and for export, considering that crops are irrigated on an area of 1.6 million hectares. The Ministry of Agriculture intends to expand the national irrigation program and will borrow 1.5 billion euros from the European Investment Bank for this purpose. Florin Barbu told Radio Romania that in five years, 2.7 million hectares should be covered, which is the maximum irrigated surface.

Citizenship. As of September 1, 2024, applications for getting or reacquiring Romanian citizenship, resolved favorably, will result in the issuance of the Romanian citizenship card. A press release by the Ministry of Internal Affairs reads that the document will be personalized by the General Passports Directorate. At the same time, the persons who, starting September 1, will be issued the Romanian citizenship card and who wish to establish their domicile abroad, will have the obligation to request, within three years, a Romanian passport with the mention of the country of residence – the MAI also specifies.

Middle East. An Israeli delegation will travel to Cairo for negotiations in the coming days to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Friday. In a telephone conversation with the American Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, the Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, voiced his commitment to reach an agreement that would allow the return of the 111 kidnapped people who remained in the Gaza Strip. The talks were suspended after the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday in an attack blamed on Israel, for which Iran vowed revenge. Against this background, the Pentagon announced that it will send additional soldiers and warships to the Middle East. According to Reuters, the United States is thus trying to strengthen the defense in this area, following the threats from Iran and its allies, Hamas and Hezbollah, after the assassination of a commander of the Lebanese movement and the leader of Hamas.

Olympic Games. Today, Romania has won another gold, in the women’s eight plus one at the Paris Olympics, after dominating the final of the main rowing event. On Friday, the Romanian rowers Ioana Vrînceanu and Roxana Anghel won the silver in the women’s double sculls. Gianina van Groningen and Ionela Cozmiuc also won silver in the women’s lightweight double sculls. Also on Friday, Romanian athlete Andreea Taloş qualified for the triple jump final of the Paris Olympic Games, which takes place today. Romania also won, in the first days of the competition, four other medals, two gold, one silver and one bronze. Gold was won by swimmer David Popovici in the 200 meter freestyle and rowers Andrei Cornea and Marian Enache in the men’s double sculls. Ancuța Bodnar and Simona Radiș won the silver in women’s double sculls and David Popovici won bronze in the 100 meter freestyle. (MI)