December 11, 2021 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 11.12.2021, 20:00
COVID-19 – 931 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported on Saturday in addition to 105 related fatalities, of which 32 were reported prior to the reference period. Right now, there are two confirmed cases of the Omicron strain in Romania. In Bucharest, the incidence has dropped to 1 per thousand inhabitants from 16.54 on October 22. In other news, Hungary, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Great Britain and Bulgaria remain on the red list of countries with a high epidemiological risk. Meanwhile, Spain, Italy, the Maldives and the Dominican Republic are now on the yellow list.
JHA – In terms of digitization, Romanias justice system is on a par with other European states, Justice Minister Cătălin Predoiu said on Friday on the sidelines of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council meeting in Brussels, the last held under the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the European Union. According to Minister Cătălin Predoiu, judges, prosecutors and court clerks use electronic means of communication on a large scale, as well as the electronic system for file distribution or online hearings. The Romanian official said the process will continue. On the sidelines of the JHA Council meeting, Cătălin Predoiu also met with counterparts from France, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany, as well as with European Commission vice-president, Vera Jourova, and EU Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders. Cătălin Predoiu and Vera Jourova highlighted the need to accelerate reforms and get good results that would lead to the lifting of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism and help improve Romanias rating in the EU Rule of Law Mechanism. In turn, Commissioner Reynders pointed out all member states must observe the prevalence of EU law and the rulings of the European Court of Justice.
AGRIFISH – Romanias Agriculture Minister, Adrian Chesnoiu, on Sunday and Monday will attend the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) meeting. The Romanian official will also meet with EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, as well as with counterparts from France and Belgium. High on the Councils agenda are fishing prospects for 2022, disloyal trade practices in the food supply chain and the emergency plan for food safety in times of crisis.
G7– G7 Foreign Ministers are on Saturday and Sunday meeting in Liverpool for special talks regarding Russia, which continues its military maneuvers on the Ukrainian border. British Foreign Minister, Liz Truss, urged her counterparts to join efforts against ill-intended behaviors and commit to security and economic support in order to defend the borders of the free world. Liz Truss warned, on Wednesday, that Russia is making a strategic error should it invade Ukraine.
STUDY – Romanians have a purchase power per capita of nearly 7,500 Euro in 2021, accounting for half the European average, according to the Purchasing Power study for Europe. In Bucharest, this indicator is by nearly 86% higher than the national average, although by 8% lower compared to the European average. Data shows that Romania ranks 31 at European level in terms of purchasing power. Right now, the highest average net incomes per capita are reported in Lichtenstein, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, with the lowest reported in Kosovo, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
HUMAN RIGHTS – Romanias pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020 on December 10 observed the International Human Rights Day by means of artistic and creative activities. Guests were introduced to traditional crafts of the Roma minority and were able to craft their own jewels, adapted to their preferences. A piano concert presented Romanian and world music classical works. Romanias pavilion at Expo Dubai revolves around the New Nature theme, aimed at introducing international audiences to the relationship with nature from a cultural and scientific perspective.
HANDBALL – Romanias national handball team on Saturday defeated Puerto Rico 43-20 in the second match in the Group II at the World Handball Cup in Spain. Romania lost on Thursday 31-30 to the Netherlands. Romania ranks 4th in the group tables, below Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands. On Monday, Romania will play its last match in the group phase against Sweden. Our country now holds zero mathematical chances of advancing to the next phase. The first two teams will advance to the quarterfinals. Romania is the only team that has taken part in all the 25 editions of the World Cup. So far our team won four medals at the World Cup: gold in 1962, silver in 1973 and 2005, and bronze in 2015. (VP)
