March 21, 2023 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 21.03.2023, 20:00
Visit. The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, currently on a formal visit to the United Arab Emirates, had talks on Tuesday with the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also serves as the vice president, prime minister and minister of defense of the United Arab Emirates. According to a press release from the Presidential Administration, Klaus Iohannis reconfirmed the importance and very good level of bilateral relations with the United Arab Emirates. The Romanian leader highlighted the solidity of the political dialogue and the recent intensification of economic and sectoral cooperation. Klaus Iohannis and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum reviewed the areas of priority interest for the two countries, namely energy, including renewable sources, education, agriculture, transport infrastructure, digital connectivity, civil protection and cyber security.
Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the peace plan presented by China towards the end of February can be a basis for ending the conflict in Ukraine, the BBC reports. Many points of the peace plan for Ukraine proposed by China “correlate with the point of view” of Russia, Vladimir Putin claimed in the press conference held with the leader of Beijing, Xi Jinping, at the end of the new talks held on Tuesday in Moscow. Xi Jinping, for his part, said that the government in Beijing is in favor of “active reconciliation” and “always for peace and dialogue”. According to analysts, for Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinpings visit is welcome, as it allows him to show that he is not isolated internationally. China has not condemned Russias war against Ukraine, but is engaged in peace negotiations.
Plan. Romania is one of the 17 EU members to have endorsed the EU joint weapon-purchase plan, which will enable the EU nations to jointly purchase weapons amid growing appeals from Ukraine for more military support. According to EU officials the initiative will allow the EU to replenish arms that have already been provided to Ukraine. The plan has been drawn up by the European Defence Agency in an attempt to connect the weapon demands of the EU members and Ukraine and the European arms industry. The programme has two lines of procurement, one for the 155 mm howitzer shells for a period of two years and for other types of ammunition for a period of seven years. The plans third component is focusing on raising the production capabilities of some weapon producers in the EU.
EU Funding. The European Commission approved on Tuesday a scheme worth 103 million euros launched by Romania to support investments in the development of electricity storage capacities. The total budget related to the scheme is provided by European funds, through the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, and national funds. The project provides for the commissioning of a capacity of at least 480 MWh of electric energy storage in batteries until December 31, 2025. The Commission decided that the Romanian scheme is necessary and appropriate to accelerate investments in electric energy storage facilities, thus contributing to the strategic objectives of the EU that are related to the green transition.
Road accidents. Last year Romania managed to slightly curb the number of road accidents by 200 as compared to 2021. Fatalities from road accidents were also reduced by 145 and the number of wounded by 100. In 2022 Romania reported 47 hundred accidents and 1,630 fatalities. 37 hundred people were also severely injured. According to the Romanian Police General Inspectorate, these have been the lowest figures in the past decade. Road traffic police are these days conducting a series of preventive activities on the high-risk sections of the countrys road network.
Celebration. Numerous events were held in Romania on the World Poetry Day marked on March 21. The National Museum of Literature in Bucharest held a series of public lectures, exhibitions and shows in libraries and education units as well as several outdoor events focusing on poetry. At the Ipotesti Memorial in north-eastern Romania, The Mihai Eminescu National Study Center staged the traditional poetry marathon involving the participation of almost 20 authors. The National Museum of Literature in Iasi, eastern Romania also organized a poetry marathon.
Award. Timişoara (west) will receive, on Friday, the “Golden Apple” trophy in recognition of the efforts to promote the city as an international tourist destination. Considered the equivalent of an Oscar award in cinematography, the “Golden Apple”, “Condor” or, “Golden appel” is awarded by the International Federation of Journalists and Writers of Tourism, FIJET, to an organization, a city or a personality in recognition of efforts to promote and develop tourism. Timişoara will thus enter the gallery of Romanian destinations awarded with this trophy: Bucovina (northeast), Danube Delta (southeast), Mărginimea Sibiului (center), Oradea (northwest). (MI)
