December 8, 2017
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 08.12.2017, 14:23
CONSTITUTION Promoting the rule of law, justice independence, the fight against corruption, assuring integrity in public jobs and positions are constitutional non-negotiable values that cannot be limited or eliminated, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis has today said in a message conveyed on the Day of Constitution, passed through a referendum 26 years ago. As a head of state, whose duties include that overseeing the Constitution, Iohannis urges all state institutions to observe this law not only in letter but also in spirit. Under the Constitution the Romanians are more united around some fundamental principles for whose observance he actively campaigns. The president’s address comes against the background of street protests sparked off by some controversial amendments proposed by leftist ruling coalition currently under debates in Parliament.
BREXIT The European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker has announced in Brussels on Friday that sufficient progress has been made and the Brexit talks with Britain can advance to the next stage, the BBC reports. Both sides have shown adaptability and readiness for compromise, Juncker has also said during a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May. The British official has said that London and Brussels have agreed upon the rights of citizens from the EU and Britain and over the Irish border so that talks can now move on to the next level. On December 15th, the European Council must decide whether sufficient progress has been made so that negotiations with London can advance.
DRILL French frigate Guepratte, which has arrived in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta, is to join Romanian corvette Eugeniu Rosca and dreadnought Lupu Dinescu for an air-defence drill, which also involves the participation of warplanes from the Romanian and Canadian air forces stationed at the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base. The drill’s main aim is to raise the training level of the participant crews as well as to develop relations between allied forces.
UN An emergency session of the UN Security Council is taking place today upon the request of eight members including Britain and France, after the recognition by US president Donald Trump of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The event has sparked off strong international reactions. US ally Saudi Arabia has described the move as irresponsible. The US traditional allies in Europe have also rejected Trump’s decision while Russia and China have voiced concern over escalating conflicts in the region. All Palestinian factions have condemned the decision calling for strikes and rallies. Large-scale protests have already taken place in the Gaza Strip while many Middle East countries have cautioned against any changes in Jerusalem status that might spark off religious tensions. The Arab League has announced its intention to convene in an emergency meeting on Saturday.
HANDBALL Romania’s national women’s side has qualified on the first position for the round of 16 of the World Championships in Germany. On Thursday night our handballers clinched a win against Angola, while France drew their match against Spain allowing the Romanians to end up on the first position in group A. Romania will be further playing the winner of the game pitching Hungary against the Czech Republic. The Romanian handballers have so far managed only good shows with four wins in their fixtures against Paraguay, Slovenia, Spain and Angola. At the previous edition in 2015, Romania ended up on the third position walking away with bronze. Romania is the only side that has so far participated in all the 22 editions of the world championship.
KING Romania’s deceased king Mihai 1st is being commemorated through special religious services around the country but also in Switzerland, where religious services are to be held until December 13th when his body is to be repatriated. In the meantime numerous people have been signing in the books of condolences at the royal Peles Castle in the mountain resort of Sinaia and also in Bucharest. The Romanian government has declared national mourning in the days of 14th, 15th and 16th of December. The king is to be buried on December 16th in Curtea de Arges, southern Romania.
