February 7, 2024
Click here for a roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 07.02.2024, 13:55
EU STRASBOURG The unity of the UE is being
tested, said the president of Romania in his address before the European
Parliament on Wednesday, as
part of a debate in the This is Europe series. According to the Romanian
official, instability has reached alarming levels in the EU. The European
Union must improve the efficiency of its decision-making processes, and Romania
is fully engaged in this effort, he added. As for the war in neighbouring
Ukraine, Klaus Iohannis said Europeans must stand by Ukraine and its people. Prior to the address, the Romanian official had
a meeting with the president of the EP, Roberta Metsola, and discussed Romania’s
Schengen accession, the war in Ukraine and the neighbouring R. of Moldova. Romania’s
full Schengen accession as soon as possible, with its land borders as well,
will considerably strengthen the Union and its security and will facilitate
cohesion and cooperation among member states, the Romanian official argued. In
turn, Metsola said Europe would be stronger with Romania in the Eurozone and the
Schengen area, and told Romanians it was important for them to take part in
June’s elections for the EP and not to take Europe for granted.
MOLDOVA For the Republic of Moldova, carrying on and
consolidating strategic relations with neighbouring Romania in all sectors is a
priority, was the message brought to Bucharest by Chişinău’s new foreign
minister, Mihai Popşoi. He had talks with his Romanian counterpart, Luminiţa
Odobescu, and was also received by PM Marcel Ciolacu, who emphasised the interest
in developing joint projects benefitting the citizens of both states. Romania will
continue to support Moldova in its EU accession negotiations, the Romanian
official promised.
FARMERS
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced
the EC was dropping a proposal to halve the use of pesticides across the EU,
and explained this had become a symbol of polarisation. The move seems to be a
concession to the farmers protesting in many EU member states. Meanwhile, the
EC proposed last week a partial derogation from rules obliging farmers to keep
certain areas non-productive, and a limitation of Ukrainian imports, while also
promising to streamline the Common Agricultural Policy.
NAVAL The Damen Shipyard in Galaţi (south-eastern
Romania) will build a state-of-the-art multifunctional vessel for the
Portuguese Navy. The ship will be able to conduct ocean research missions,
search and rescue as well as emergency aid missions, and will be equipped with a
UAV launching system. Damen Group was awarded the construction works following
an EU call for tenders. Funding will be provided under the EU Recovery and Resilience
Mechanism.
MIDDLE EAST The US secretary of state
Antony Blinken is in Israel today, at a time when Tel Aviv is analysing
the response given by Hamas to a proposed truce, including hostage releases,
after 4 months of war that have seen countless victims. Blinken, whose country
is a close ally of Israel, said he would discuss the Hamas answer with the
Israeli authorities today, as part of his 5th tour in the Middle
East since October 7. The US secretary of
state, who has visited Saudi Arabia, Egypt and
Qatar, is to travel next to the West Bank, an autonomous Palestinian territory
occupied by Israel since 1967.
TENNIS The Romanian tennis player Sorana Cîrstea plays today in the
eighth-finals of the WTA 500 tournament in Abu Dhabi (UAE), against third-seed
Maria Sakkari of Greece (9 WTA). Cîrstea (26 WTA), leads 2-1 head-to-head, the
Greek player having won the last match 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the second round at
Cincinnati. (AMP)
