August 31, 2018 UPDATE

Click here for a round-up of news from Romania

Corina Cristea, 31.08.2018, 18:45

ROMANIAN LANGUAGE DAY– The Romanian Foreign
Ministry in Bucharest has joined many other state institutions in celebrating
Romanian Language Day, on August 31. A press release issued by the line
ministry reads: ‘The celebration dedicated to this fundamental element of the
identity of the Romanian people gains deep symbolism on the year of the
Centennial of the Grand Union, urging us to diversify and enrich our linguistic
heritage for the new generation and the people who love the Romanian language
around the world. This day was celebrated by local authorities and
institutions, by diplomatic institutions around the world, and by Romanian
cultural institutes, with cultural, educational, and scientific programs
dedicated to the Romanian language. This day was also celebrated in the Republic
of Moldova.

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER – New cases of African swine fever have been confirmed in
Romania, where the number of outbreaks stands at 800. The authorities continue
to act to limit the spread of the virus, with pigs getting culled in a quarter of
Romania’s counties. The authorities have imposed restrictions on the sale of
pork, and checkpoints have been set up at the borders of counties with
confirmed cases. The right of centre opposition in Bucharest has filed a
request to the Chamber of Deputies to set up a committee to investigate the way
in which the authorities have managed the epidemic. President Klaus Iohannis
renewed his call on the government to act more effectively to prevent the
spread of the virus and provide relief to the people affected by it.

RESIGNATION – Romanian Minister for Research and Innovation, Nicolae Burnete, has
stepped down, thus being the first minister in the Dancila cabinet to
tender his resignation. In a communiqué posted
on the site of the institution, Nicolae Burnete writes
that his resignation is irrevocable, without however mentioning the reasons
behind his decision. He tenders his
resignation just one day before the session of the National Executive Committee
of the Social Democratic Party, the main party in the ruling coalition. The Committee
is expected to set legislative priorities and to analyse the activity of the ministers
in the Dancila cabinet. Also on Friday, the Prime Minister said the agenda of
talks also includes a potential government reshuffle.

ANNIVERSARY – President Klaus
Iohannis has been invited by Queen Elisabeth II of the UK to a reception at
Buckingham Palace to celebrate Prince Charles’ 70th birthday, on November 14.
The event, followed by a gala dinner, will be attended by numerous heads of
state and government, as well as members of European royal families.
Prince Charles is famously friendly to Romania, a country he visits often,
where he met President Klaus Iohannis on many occasions.

DIPLOMACY– Romanian
foreign minister Teodor Melescanusaid
on Friday in Vienna that the best solution in the Kosovo file is a bilateral understanding
with Serbia. Melescanu also said such an agreement will help the countries that
have not recognized Kosovo’s declaration of independence to make-what he
called-a final decision. The statements were
made at the informal meeting of the EU foreign ministers (Gymnich), organized by the Austrian presidency of the EU Council.
Kosovo, with a majority Albanian population, has unilaterally proclaimed its independence
from Serbia. Although 10 years have elapsed since then, five EU member states
have not recognized its independence- Romania, Spain, Greece, Slovakia and Cyprus.

ENESCU FESTIVAL– Between September 1
and 23, Bucharest is host to the 16th edition of the George Enescu
International Festival, bringing to the public a number of exceptional recitals
with three great musicians, who are going to also be members on the festival’s
jury. Among the guests are Italian violinist Salvatore Accardo, Swedish pianist
Peter Jablonnski, and British cellist Raphael Wallfisch. In total, 270 young
musicians from 39 countries, 22 from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, will
compete in the four sections – Composition, Violin, Cello, and Piano. This is
the 60 year anniversary of the festival dedicated to famous composer,
violinist, pianist and conductor George Enescu. (Translated by C. Cotoiu and D. Vijeu)