July 9, 2014 UPDATE
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Roxana Vasile, 09.07.2014, 20:22
The Romanian Foreign Ministry is profoundly concerned with the escalation of violence in southern Israel and Gaza Strip. In a communique, the ministry in Bucharest has vehemently condemned the recent rocket attacks against the Israeli civilians, which contribute to the escalation of violence and would lead to further retaliation measures. The Romanian Foreign ministry makes an appeal to the sides involved to renounce the use of force and avoid making victims among the civilians. At the same time the communique recognizes Israel’s rights to defend its citizens and reiterates Romania’s support for the foundation of two states, Israeli and Palestinian, which could coexist in peace and security. Earlier, the same ministry recommended the Romanian citizens to avoid traveling to Israel and the Palestinian territories after the Israeli army had stepped up its actions agains the territories in Gaza controlled by the Islamist movement Hamas. We recall that tens of rockets have been launched against civilian targets in Israel. The recent violence was sparked off by the killing of three Israeli youngsters, followed by the death of a Palestinian teenager who was burnt to death.
Romanian president Traian Basescu on Wednesday promulgated the laws on the ratification of the EU Association Agreement of the Republic of Moldova, an ex-soviet country with Romanian speaking population, as well as those of Ukraine and Georgia. Last week, Parliament in Bucharest completed the process of adopting the aforementioned laws, becoming the first legislature of the EU member states to finalize the ratification procedure for the association agreements with the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia. The documents were signed in late June in Brussels.
Romania’s best tennis player, third-seeded Simona Halep, on Wednesday defeated Indy De Vroome from the Netherlands, 6-0, 6-4, qualifying for the eighth finals of the single contest of the BRD Bucharest Open, the first WTA tournament staged in Romania. In the next round of the competition, with 250 thousand dollars in prize money, the odds-on favourite Halep takes on Serbian Aleksandra Krunic, who on Tuesday outperformed Alexandra Panova of Russia. BRD Bucharest Open is the first tournament Halep participates in after the semifinals in Wimbledon.
The Constitutional Court has ruled that no legal conflict occurred between the Government and the president of Romania, Traian Basescu. Romania’s Supreme Court on Wednesday analyzed the notification submitted by Prime Minister Victor Ponta in that respect and the Court’ decision was unanimous. The legal conflict targeted Romania’s representation at the European Council in June, since Prime Minister Victor Ponta claimed that Basescu was seeking to take responsibilities and competencies, which under the Constitution, lie with the government. In his notification, Victor Ponta stated he did not deny the president a right to represent Romania at the meetings organized by the European Council, but he questioned the dictatorial and arbitrary way in which Basescu had opted to work with Parliament and the Government. We recall the country’s fundamental law rules that the government guarantees the ensuing responsibilities of Romania’s accession to the European Union.
Romania is a serious partner and ally the Americans and the North Atlantic Alliance can always rely on — Romania’s Defense Minister Mircea Dusa said on Wednesday at the meeting with the newly-appointed charge d’ affaires of the United States to Bucharest, Dean R. Thompson, and with the outgoing US charge d’affaires Duane Butcher. Dusa hailed the excellent bilateral cooperation in the field of defence, based on the Strategic Partnership Bucharest signed with Washington. Romania’s Defense Minister has also reiterated the commitment the Romanian army has made to be stationed in Afghanistan alongside its allies, as part of the Resolute Support mission backing the afghan forces. In turn, the US officials have hailed the excellent relation between the two armies, as well as the progress that has been made with respect to placing components of the US anti-missile shield in the southern Romanian locality of Deveselu. Also high on the bilateral talks agenda were the situation in the region and NATO priorities ahead of the Alliance’s summit in September in Wales.
