January 23, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 23.01.2024, 19:43

Diplomats.
The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday, at the annual meeting
with the ambassadors accredited to Bucharest, that Romania will continue to
stand by Ukraine. Iohannis emphasised that due to Bucharest’s efforts, over 33
million tonnes of Ukrainian grains, accounting for more than 60% of the
products carried through the EU’s Solidarity Corridors, transited Romania.
Klaus Iohannis added that Romania will stand by Moldova and Ukraine in their
negotiations for EU accession, and emphasised that it is crucial for the 2
countries to continue to receive financial support and know-how for the
consolidation of their public institutions and economy. As for the situation in
the Middle East, he voiced support for a two-state solution, in line both with
the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and with Israel’s right
to security. In this context, president Iohannis mentioned that Romania conducted
a very difficult operation providing assistance and support to the
Romanian citizens in that region. I would like to take this opportunity
to thank the Romanian authorities involved in the evacuation of the Romanian
nationals there, as well as to thank our partners in Israel, Egypt, Qatar and
Jordan for their support, Klaus Iohannis added.

Moldova. The
foreign minister of the Republic of Moldova Nicu Popescu met his Romanian counterpart Luminiţa
Odobescu and other officials. Talks focused on ways to deepen the partnership
between the two states and the process Moldova is to undertake in order to join
the European Union. Odobescu said the consolidation of democratic institutions
can only be achieved through collaboration, and Romania will continue to be
Moldova’s most active supporter in Europe and the world. Minister Popescu
underlined that his country will only be able to accomplish its goal of joining
the European Union together with Romania. In December, the European Council
recommended the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine and the Republic of
Moldova.

Union. On
January 24 Romania is celebrating the anniversary of 165 years since the Union
of the Romanian Principalities, Moldavia and Wallachia, under the rule of
Alexandru Ioan Cuza. Military and religious ceremonies will be held in major
cities across the country, as well as performances, exhibitions, events in
museums and other cultural institutions. In Focşani, in the south-east, a
large-scale celebration will be held, including a military parade and the traditional
Union Round Dance in the town’s central square. The city of Iaşi, in the
north-east, will host a ceremony in front of the statue of ruler Alexandru Ioan
Cuza, as well as a military parade. In Bucharest, the George Enescu
Philharmonic Orchestra will give a special concert. In January 1859, Alexandru
Ioan Cuza was elected ruler both in Moldavia, and in Wallachia, and under the
1866 Constitution, the United Principalities started using the official name of
Romania.

Ambassador. The
new British ambassador to Bucharest Giles Portman confirmed on Tuesday that his
country would continue to increase its military support for Romania as an
allied state. Speaking at a press briefing, he said his priorities include
defence and security. He announced that Great Britain would provide maximum
support for Romania and the Black Sea and that the Royal Air Force would return
here this year on an air policing mission. The British ambassador also recalled
that important joint training of British and Romanian military forces took
place last year and said there were plans to increase the number of training
exercises this year.

Vietnam. Over
2,000 Vietnamese nationals are legally employed in Romania, said the president
of Romania’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mihai Daraban at the
Romania-Vietnam Economic Forum held in Bucharest in the presence of Vietnam’s
PM, Pham Minh Chính. Daraban called on decision-makers in both countries to
create a predictable environment for employment, because the Romanian economy
needs more workforce. (CM)