February 22, 2020 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 22.02.2020, 19:05

EUROPEAN COUNCIL MEETING – President Klaus Iohannis on
Thursday and Friday attended the European Council meeting in Brussels, devoted
to negotiations over the upcoming multiannual financial agreement. Talks failed
amidst growing divergences between member states over the total value of duns
and their distribution to specific areas. Talks will resume at a subsequent
date with the goal of reaching political consensus as soon as possible. Klaus
Iohannis said the upcoming budget should allow for the implementation of
political objectives agreed upon at the Summit in Sibiu, calling for a balanced
approach. The Romanian official underlined the importance of the cohesion and
common agriculture policies, saying they are key to the development and
modernization of Europe. On the sidelines of the summit Klaus Iohannis attended
a series of meetings with member states supporting an ambitious Europe and with
member states that are net contributors to the EU budget.

CORONAVIRUS – The Romanian Foreign Ministry
has expressed its gratitude towards its Italian, German and Japanese for their
support and the good cooperation view a view to repatriating the six Romanian
citizens who were quarantined onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan
arrived. They arrived in Romania on Saturday from Germany by a Ministry of
Defense aircraft. They were previously transported from Tokyo to berlin with an
Italian aircraft under the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism. They will be
quarantined in Bucharest for 14 days. Prior to the disembarking they tested negative
for the COVID-19 virus. The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest announced the two
Romanians infected with the coronavirus onboard the cruise ship are receiving
treatment in a hospital in Japan, their overall condition being stable. Another
9 Romanians, members of the crew, decided to stay on board. The Foreign Ministry also reports that,
considering the rise in the number of COVID-19 infections in Italy, a task
force has been created at the Romanian Embassy in Rome that will remain in
permanent contact with the Italian Civil Protection and other authorities
involved. The Foreign Ministry has recommended all Romanian citizens to abide
by all local recommendations. The clinical number of infections is on the wane
in China, with 397 cases announced on Saturday by the National Health Board as
compared to some 900 on Friday. The death toll in China has reached 2345, with
the total number of infections standing at over 76,000 in continental China.

GREEN DEAL – Romania got 750 million Euro
from the Just Transition Fund to deal with the implementation of the European
Green Deal. The information was made public on Friday by the European Green
Deal Rapporteur, the Romanian Siegfried Muresan. He stated that the money will
be used for economic development in the mining regions and not on welfare
measures. He has given assurances that the miners in Jiu Valley and in Oltenia
will not lose their jobs when the deal is implemented, as they will be able to
work in the field of renewable energies and in industry. Romanian ranks third
among the EU countries in terms of green reforms in energy development, after
Poland and Germany. The Green Deal is aimed at turning Europe into the first
carbon-neutral continent by 2050.

TRAVEL FAIR – The spring edition of
Romania’s Travel Fair is underway in Bucharest until Sunday. The event has
brought together over 300 travel agencies offering holiday packages in Romania
and abroad including for the upcoming Easter holidays. Operators are pledging
significant price cuts, even down to 50%. The most sought-after destinations
are Turkey, Greece, Spain, Tunisia and Egypt but there are also exotic
destinations like Bali or Thailand.

BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL – The 70th edition
of the International Film Festival in Berlin is underway until March 1. Some
340 films will be screened, with 18 features competing for the Golden Bear.
Cristi Puiu’s latest feature, Malmkrog, is competing in the newly-created
Encounters section. The film is based on philosopher and writer Vladimir
Solovyov’s poem Three Meetings. Another Romanian director, Radu Jude, is
taking part in the Forum section with two films, Uppercase Print and The
Exit of the Trains. Radu Jude is also taking part with a project in the Sleep
Walkers Film Fair, which he describes as a pop comedy about sex, technology
and society.

RUGBY – Romania’s rugby team on Saturday won 24-7 at home to Spain
in the third round of Rugby Europe Championship. Despite the score, Spain
dominated the game, but Romania defended well and capitalized on its chances.
This is Romania’s first win in Rugby Europe Championship this year, after
losing 41-13 to Georgia and 22-11 to Portugal. Romania will next play Russia in
Krasnodar on March 7.

(translated
by V. Palcu)