July 21, 2022 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 21.07.2022, 19:47

Heat. The Romanian authorities have established a set of measures valid this summer, during periods when weather alerts are issued. Starting on Thursday, a response team is operational and first aid shelters equipped with drinking water have been set up. Also the population will be regularly informed, and the authorities will coordinate together with non-governmental organisations actions to help vulnerable people. The Secretary of State with the Ministry of Interior, Raed Arafat, spoke about banning the use of open fire for burning stubble and dry vegetation, but also about the monitoring of forest areas, in particular those frequented by tourists. The authorities recommend avoiding travelling or alternating it with rest in air-conditioned spaces, especially for people suffering from certain diseases and the elderly. Environment Minister Tánczos Barna has pointed out that in the current drought conditions watering gardens with drinking water is a terrible waste, arguing that some local governments will have to impose restrictions in this regard. The Minister of Transport, Sorin Grindeanu, has also stated that the National Railway Company CFR Călători could reduce, during the heat wave, the number of passengers in the carriages that have no air conditioning.

Budget. Prime minister Nicolae Ciucă said on Thursday that a budget adjustment will be made in the first part of August, saying certain commitments must be met, namely a 10% cut by each ministry in goods and services costs. The national strategy and forecast body published fresh estimates with regard to the countrys economy, saying it expected a higher trade deficit, of 32.3 billion euros, that is more imports. The committees is also expecting a 12.9% inflation rate for the end of the year, up from 9.7% in its previous forecast, an average exchange rate of 4.95 lei for one euro, and for wage incomes to drop by 1.2%.

Visit. Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu on Thursday received Frank Rose, the Principal Deputy Administrator of the US National Nuclear Security and a former negotiator of the Romanian-US agreement on the location of the US missile defence shield on Romanian territory in 2011. According to a foreign ministry statement, the two officials exchanged views on the security crisis generated by Russias illegal, unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. Minister Aurescu extended his thanks for the US military presence in Romania, which was boosted in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, and for the announcement made in Madrid by US president Joe Biden with respect to further consolidating it. Aurescu also highlighted the role played by Bucharest in providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and to Ukrainian refugees and facilitating the export of Ukrainian grains to other parts of the world. The US official appreciated Romanias efforts to support Ukraine and alleviate the global repercussions of Russias invasion.

Defence. Romanian defence minister Vasile Dîncu on Thursday had talks in Bucharest with Thomas Gassilloud, the president of the defence committee of Frances National Assembly. They discussed ways to consolidate cooperation within NATO, the European Union and at bilateral level, with emphasis on the decisions of the NATO summit in Madrid, the strategic partnership between Romania and France and Frances contribution to the deterrence and defence efforts on NATOs eastern flank. The Romanian minister thanked France for its commitment, as framework nation, to ensure the consolidation of the battlegroup for collective defence depending on the development of the security situation.

Protest. Trade unionists from the national air transport company TAROM on Thursday held a protest in front of the companys headquarters in Otopeni, near Bucharest. They are dissatisfied with the fact that the companys management does not want to approve the required salary increase. Employees say they want a decent salary but have been treated superficially by the companys management during collective bargaining. They demand an increase in the salary budget of 35%. Some of the employees will be fired in the following days, as they failed the professional evaluation test.

Corruption. The Athens Court of Appeal ruled against the extradition of the former Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu, who fled Romania after being handed a prison sentence of 10 years and 8 months in May. Oprescu was apprehended in Greece and released after paying a 5,000 euro bail. In another corruption case, the former Bucharest sector 1 mayor, the Social Democrat Daniel Tudorache is on trial for abuse of office in connection to a municipal cleaning and waste collection contract that caused the state to lose almost 190 million euros. Tudorache, who is currently serving as the sectors deputy mayor, was prosecuted by the anti-corruption body in March for peddling in influence and money laundering. He was accused of opening bank accounts in the name of his wife and his housekeeper, purchasing property and jewellery, including, diamonds, worth 2 million euros. (CM)