December 1, 2019
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 01.12.2019, 14:21
National Day — On December 1, the National Day of Romania, as many as 4 thousand military and experts with the Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Romanian Intelligence Service and the National Administration of Penitentiaries and around 200 vehicles participated in Bucharest in a traditional military parade. The event, which was attended by President Klaus Iohannis, also involved the participation of 500 military from 21 allied countries. Various events are taking place in other cities of Romania as well, with the national flag flying at all the military institutions across the country. The great ensign was displayed on sea and river ships. The Romanian military who are on mission in the theaters of operations in Afghanistan, the western Balkans, Mali, Iraq and Poland are participating in military ceremonies to mark the national day. The city of Alba Iulia, in the center, the place of the Great Union of December 1, 1918, will also host a military parade in which 1,400 military will participate, in the presence of the PM Ludovic Orban. Alongside members of his cabinet, the PM has laid a wreath of flowers at the monument of the Great Union.
Message — On the occasion of the National Day of Romania the Liberal PM Ludovic Orban has conveyed a message to Romanians: ‘Today, 101 years since the Great Union, when Romania had to suffer a lot because of the war, of Communism and even because of recent events, we are celebrating the National Day with the feeling of true liberation and of making a new dream come true’, said the PM. He added that we have the chance to change things for the better, to live in a democratic country in which the state institutions serve the citizens and the law is valid for everyone. The PM went on to say that it was high time we consolidated the European Romania that should guarantee its citizens their fundamental rights and liberties.
EU – The new European Commission headed by Ursula von der Leyen will take office on December 1. The EU members have decided that the new Commission will have only 27 commissioners, after Great Britain refused to appoint a commissioner in the context of Brexit. The Romanian Adina Valean with the European Peoples Party has been appointed Transport Commissioner. The College of Commissioners will meet on December 4 to make several administrative decisions.
NATO — London will host the NATO summit on Tuesday and Wednesday, which will mark the Alliance’s 70th anniversary. High on the agenda of talks are issues such as the fight against terrorism, arms control and the relations with Russia and China. Romania will be represented by President Klaus Iohannis. According to the presidential administration, Romania’s head of state will highlight Romania’s contribution within NATO and will underline the need to continue the process of adapting the alliance posture of deterrence and defense on the eastern flank and the Black Sea region.
Handball – Romania’s national handball team has obtained its first victory at the world championship hosted by Japan defeating the team of Senegal 29-24 on Sunday, in Kumamoto, in the championship’s Group C. On Saturday, in their first match, the Romanian hadnballers were defeated by Spain 31-16. In the other matches of the group, Montenegro defeated Kazakhstan 30-21 and Spain defeated Hungary 29-25. Romania’s next match is scheduled for December 3, against Kazakhstan. (translation by L. Simion)
