December 11, 2018 UPDATE
The European Parliament on Tuesday voted a new resolution requesting to admit Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen Area.
Newsroom, 11.12.2018, 19:51
TIME – Time magazine has collectively named Jamal Khashoggi and other killed and imprisoned journalists as its “person of the year” for 2018. The magazine gave the title, that goes to the person they see as the most influential over the past year, to “the Guardians and the War on Truth”. Those named also included the journalists killed in the mass shooting at the Capital Gazette in Maryland in June, two Reuters reporters jailed in Myanmar after investigating the massacre of Rohingya Muslims and Maria Ressa, a journalist in the Philippines facing tax evasion charges that she has called “political harassment”.
SCHENGEN — The Romanian Foreign Ministry has hailed the adoption, by the European Parliament, of the resolution requesting to admit Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen Area. The resolution was passed on Tuesday with 514 votes in favor, 107 against and 38 abstentions. The final call falls on the European Council, to the extent that the European Parliament green lighted the two states in June 2011, confirming its position several times. The two states have been prevented from joining by repeated objections from several other European states, for reasons of slow reforms in the justice system.
LONDON – Custodian of the Romanian Crown Margareta and her consort, Radu, were received on Tuesday by Queen Elisabeth in a private visit in London. On Monday, at a dinner in their honor, the Custodian reaffirmed the close ties between Romania and the UK, mirrored by the interest shown by the British royal family in the Centennial of Romanias Grand Union. This was the first visit to the UK that Princess Margaret makes as the head of the Royal House of Romania. The visit celebrates the Centennial of the Romanian Union, and the centenary of the end of WWI. King Mihai I, Margaretas father, who passed away on December 5, 2017, at 96 years of age, was third cousin to Queen Elisabeth.
PENSIONS — The Labor and Social Protection Committee in the Romanian Parliament passed on Tuesday the bill to restructure the public pension system, to be debated in the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this case. On November 26, the Senate passed it, after being introduced by the government. The bill aims to fix inequities in the system, such as large differences between retirees with similar work experience, but very different pensions. According to the new law, work experience worth 15 years is the minimum amount that qualifies a worker for a public pension.
MACRON — French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on Monday night to the nation, under pressure to find a solution to the crisis sparked by the so-called Yellow Vest protests. He denounced the violence in the streets last week, and declared an economic and social state of emergency, issuing a series of promises. Among them are raising the minimum wage by 100 Euro per month starting next year, and pulling income tax on overtime. Press agencies comment that the crisis is still in effect, given the deep social inequality that the French feel, as well as a slide into poverty and lack of a voice. Macrons government is accused of siding with the rich, and the protesters vowed to continue their manifestations.
BREXIT — British PM Theresa May on Tuesday started a tour of Europe in an attempt to save the Brexit deal she negotiated. She hopes to gain guarantees on the part of the accord that prevents a tough border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. European officials in Brussels have offered no substantial change in what has been described as the best and only deal. According to the BBC, European leaders dont expect Theresa May to have much support for a renegotiation of the deal. The tour comes as the British premier announced a postponement of the vote in the House of Commons on the deal with the EU, admitting that it would be turned down if the vote was held now.
MEETING – The meeting of Romania’s Supreme Defense Council was suspended on Tuesday in Bucharest by President Klaus Iohannis at the request of the Council members. According to the Presidency, the agenda of the meeting included important topics regarding the country’s defense and national security which generated extended talks. The meeting is to be resumed on December 19. Also discussed will be the army equipping for the 2019-2028 period, the participation of Romanian military in missions and operations outside the country’s borders and many others. The members will also set the timetable for the council’s activity next year. Recently, Defense Minister Gabriel Les said he might have to submit an analysis of the incident between Russia and Ukraine in the Sea of Azov, after submitting one to the Senate Defense Committee last week. Speaking on this issue, President Klaus Iohannis said that Romania was prepared to face any scenario, and assured Romanians that there were no reasons to worry.
HANDBALL – The Romanian women’s handball team plays against Spain on Tuesday, in its second game in the 2018 European Championship group phase, with a third game scheduled for Wednesday against Hungary. To secure qualification from one of the top two positions in the group tables, Romania needs to win both games. On Sunday, Romania lost to the Netherlands, 29-24, in the first group phase fixture, its first defeat after the wins against the Czech Republic, Germany and Norway. The best result so far in this Championship was the bronze in 2010.
(Translated by Elena Enache)
