February 19, 2017 UPDATE
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Newsroom, 19.02.2017, 18:46
DIPLOMACY – Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu reiterated Romanias support for increasing the role of the EU in the field of defence, in line with NATO requirements. Attending the NATO Security Conference in Munich, Melescanu underlined the importance of consolidating the EU as a viable and influential global actor, outlining Romanias contribution to securing Euro-Atlantic and global security. On the sidelines of the conference, the Romanian Foreign Minister met with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, who congratulated and thanked Romanian authorities for allotting 2% of the countrys GDP to defence. Melescanu also had talks with his Georgian and Azeri counterparts, with the Secretary General of the League of Arab Nations, as well as with other high-ranking officials attending the conference.
EMERGENCY DECREE – The Chamber of Deputies is still debating the emergency decree on the withdrawal of the controversial decree by means of which the Government attempted to amend criminal legislation. According to the head of the Chambers judicial committee, which is the decision-making body in this case, adopting the former would make null the latter. Aimed at partially decriminalising abuse of office, the decree has been the target of mass street protests since its adoption on January 31.
CVM – Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu announced he would send a letter of enquiry to the European Commission next week regarding the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, so that the Government can take the necessary measures. Grindeanu told Realitatea television station that he wants the mechanism to be lifted in the shortest time possible. The Prime Minister recalled that, during his meeting with European Commission president, Jean-Claude Junker held on Friday, the latter insisted that Romania should no longer be monitored under the CVM by the end of his term in office. In his talks with high-ranking European Commission officials, Prime Minister Grindeanu gave assurances that the Government in Bucharest remains committed to fighting corruption.
ECONOMY – Romania reported a 292 million euro deficit in trading foodstuffs in the first 11 months of 2016, given that, over the similar period of 2015, our country reported a surplus of over 65 million euros, according to data released by the Agriculture Ministry. Exports stood at 5,4 billion euros, up by 2.7% as against the same period of 2016, while imports exceeded 5,7 billion euros, by 9.6% more than the period under scrutiny. The EU was Romanias main trade partner in terms of exports and imports of foodstuffs, with deliveries accounting for over 54% of total exports, while EU purchases accounted for some 74% of total imports.
BRANCUSI – Romanian embassies, consular offices and cultural institutes abroad on Sunday marked the Brancusi Day, devoted to the great Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Considered the “father of modern sculpture, Constantin Brancusi was born on February 19, 1876 in Hobita, Gorj County, southern Romania. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, 2017 bears a triple significance for promoting Brancusi and his works. March 16 will mark 60 years since the death of Brancusi. Also, in 2018, the year Romania celebrates 100 years since its Great Unification, our country will also celebrate 80 years since the great sculptor accomplished his greatest monument ensemble, “The Heroes Path in Targu Jiu, an homage to the Romanian soldiers who gave their lives for people and country in the Great War. Also this year on June 15 we mark 40 years since the inauguration of the “Brancusi Workshop in 1977 at the Pompidou Cultural Centre in Paris.
FILM – Romanian image editor Dana Bunescu on Saturday scooped the Silver Bear award for editing at the 67th edition of the International Berlin Film Festival, for the feature film Ana, mon amour, directed by Calin Peter Netzer. The feature was selected in the main competition for the Golden Bear, which this year went to Hungarian filmmaker Ildko Enyedis feature On Body and Soul. We recall that Calin Peter Netzer won the Golden Bear in 2013 with his feature Childs Pose.
CARNIVAL OF VENICE – This year as well Romania is represented in the main program at the Venice Carnival. Romanian traditional costumes were presented on Sunday at the official parade opening the Carnival, while alphorn players from Campeni, Alba County, performed on stage in San Marco Square. On Saturday, the “Zestrea exhibition of Romanian traditional costumes designed by Liliana Turoiu was opened and can be visited until February 28. (Translated by V. Palcu)
