March 24, 2017
Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis, is participating in the EU Summit in Rome, which is to adopt a Declaration on the future of the EU/ The death toll of Wednesdays terror attack in London takes the number of fatalities to four
Newsroom, 24.03.2017, 14:09
THE FUTURE OF THE EU– Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, on Friday is attending the EU Summit in Rome, where a Declaration on the future of the EU will be adopted. According to a communiqué issued by the Presidential Administration, Romania will plead for a stronger, more consolidated Europe. Early this month, Bucharest sent a document to the EU member states, expressing its stand on the issue. “The fact that there is no alternative to a European solution, which places the stability of our economies and societies and the prosperity of our citizens at the centre of the Union’s actions, should be clearly expressed”, the document also writes. Another stated principle is “no step back.” The document sent to Brussels also states it is essential to preserve and build on the fundamental accomplishments of the EU- the Internal Market, Schengen, Euro, the cohesion policy and enlargement.
DEATH TOLL — The latest death toll of Wednesday’s terror attack in London, issued by the British Police earlier today, takes the number of fatalities to four. 50 other people, of 12 nationalities have been injured in the attack. Two Romanian tourists, a man and a woman are among those injured. The man has been released from hospital, whereas his partner is still in critical condition in hospital. She fell off the Westminster Bridge into the Thames River, after the attacker rammed the car into people crossing the bridge. According to the British Police, the terrorist, who was shot dead, is Khalid Masood, 52, born in Great Britain and who embraced radical Islam. Actually, the attack has been claimed by the Islamic State group. Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, has firmly condemned the attack and, in a phone conversation with the British PM Theresa May, he expressed full solidarity with the United Kingdom. Klaus Iohannis has also sent a message of condolence to the families of the victims and wished a fast recovery to those injured. In turn, PM Sorin Grindeanu has said the government, through the Romanian Embassy in London, is monitoring the health condition of the two Romanian nationals who sustained injuries. In a message on Twitter, the British ambassador to Bucharest, Paul Brummel, has sent a message to the Romanians, thanking them for their reaction to the attack.
SUMMER TIME — On March 26, the last Sunday of March, Romania will switch to summertime or daylight saving time (DST). This is the practice of advancing clocks during summer months by one hour so that evening daylight lasts an hour longer. In Romania clocks will be advanced by one hour, from 03.00 to 04.00, local time. Consequently, this will be the shortest day of the year, with only 23 instead of 24 hours. This practice is aimed at saving electricity, using instead sunlight for a longer period of the day. Natural light is also a booster of people’s mental and physical health. DST is currently used by over 100 countries the world over.
EXERCISES– The French frigate “La Fayette” is today arriving in the Port of Constanta, in south-eastern Romania, to take part in military exercises alongside similar Romanian ships, in the Black Sea. French and Romanian marines will work together to put into practice NATO standard operation practices, according to scenarios of ensuring free navigation and a maritime traffic flow. On Monday, the frigate “La Fayette” will take part in an exercise meant to consolidate interoperability with the Romanian Navy. There will be a busy timetable, including live fire exercises. Becoming militarily operational in 1996, “La Fayette” is equipped with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles and has a self-defence arsenal. A Panther helicopter is also onboard the ship, which increases the frigate’s action range.
TENNIS — Four Romanian women tennis players are today trying to qualify for the third round of the “Premier Mandatory” in Miami(the US), with 6.8 million dollars in prize money up for grabs. Sorana Carstea (no. 64 WTA) will meet Anastasija Sevastova (of Latvia, no. 25 WTA). Patricia Tig (no. 95 WTA) will play against the French Kristina Mladenovici, no. 18 WTA. No.5 WTA, Simona Halep will face Naomi Osaka( no. 48 WTA), and 28th seeded Irina Begu, will meet Lara Arruabarrena of Spain, no. 48 WTA. (Translated by D. Vijeu)
