February 26, 2024 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 26.02.2024, 20:27
NATO The Hungarian Parliament on Monday ratified Sweden’s NATO accession. Hungary was the last of the 31 allied states, which granted support to Sweden’s integration. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sweden decided to give up its historical neutrality and join the Alliance. Most of the member states hailed Sweden’s accession, but Turkey and Hungary have delayed ratification. According to the BBC, Turkey said that Sweden tolerated anti-Islamic protests and Sweden is one of the EU countries, which have accused Hungary of backsliding on the EU’s democratic principles. ”We stand ready to shoulder our share of the responsibility for NATO’s security”, the Swedish Premier said shortly after the vote. ”Sweden’s contribution to Euro-Atlantic Security is essential. With Sweden in NATO we are going to consolidate the posture of defence and deterrence on the Eastern Flank and carry on the staunch support for Ukraine. Together we are stronger”, president Iohannis has written on the X platform.
DNA Marius Voineag, the chief of Romania’s Anti-corruption Directorate, a.k.a, DNA, says that during his mandate, the prosecutors have rediscovered the courage to investigate big corruption cases. On the occasion of the presentation of the institution’s activity report in 2023, Voineag says that unfortunately, corruption costs remain unacceptably higher for Romanian society. “In terms of this year’s activity, I must specify that we are perfectly aware that we are having an election context and there is the risk that anything we do may be interpreted and spark off controversies and debates, but I assure you the National Anti-corruption Directorate will carry on its determination to fighting the phenomenon of corruption” the DNA chief went on to say. He gave assurances his institution would continue to target big-corruption cases and the priority domains with direct impact on the citizens’ lives.
PROTESTS Trade unions of the Romanian postal service are staging this week protest actions in front of the Ministry of Research building. Workers are disgruntled with the lack of a transparent, motivating and non-discriminatory salary scheme, or the fact that 80% of Romanian Post staff currently earns minimum wages, regardless of the position, degrees, attributes or seniority. Trade unionists also criticize the lack of coherent development and sustainability policies and the company’s opaque and unpredictable management. Taxi drivers from Bucharest and other counties are also staging a three-day protest in the capital-city as of Monday. They are disgruntled with competition from alternative means of transportation and call on such transporters to observe the same rules taxi drivers are subject to. Some 800 drivers attended the protest on Monday with their vehicles, while over 1,800 drivers and their vehicles are expected to join the protest on Tuesday and Wednesday.
UKRAINE Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, and allied leaders on Monday attended a working meeting devoted to Ukraine, hosted by the French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Talks focused on the current phase of the war in Ukraine and its consequences on European and Euro-Atlantic security, as well as options to step up assistance for Ukraine. President Iohannis hails the initiative of his French counterpart, pointing out that unity and solidarity at international level with regard to support for Ukraine are key and must be maintained, the Presidency reports. On the sidelines of the meeting, president Iohannis reasserted Romania’s firm support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s necessary.
(bill)
