March 25, 2025 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Daniel Bilț, 25.03.2025, 20:23
TALKS The Romanian Defence Minister, Angel Tilvar, on Tuesday held talks in Brussels with NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte. The two officials tackled the strategic importance of the Black Sea, support for Ukraine, as well as the expenses for NATO’s defence and deterrence on the Eastern Flank. Unity and strategic visions are our fortes, the Romanian official wrote on the social platform X. The meeting between the two leaders comes at a time when NATO steps up efforts to support Ukraine and strengthen security in the Black Sea region, an area of strategic importance for the Alliance.
VISAS The US government is revising the recent inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver Programme, a.k.a VWP, with a view to ensuring compliance with the strict security requirements imposed by the aforementioned programme, the US Department for Homeland Security announced on Tuesday. As a result, the USA is interrupting the implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for the Romanian citizens. So, the Romanians who want to travel to the USA for business or pleasure will have to apply for a type B visa at a US embassy or consulate. According to Romania’s Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, revising Romania’s inclusion in the VWP programme is a strictly technical measure part of an all-out reviewing process of the US security risks. The minister hopes the measure will not take too long adding the Romanian side will cooperate with the USA for clarifying the aspects causing concern to the US administration. The initial term for Romania’s admission in the VWP programme was March 31st.
TRUCE The White House announced on Tuesday that Russia and Ukraine accepted to cease attacking transport vessels on the Black Sea. The two sides have agreed to ensure the free and safe movement of freighters and cancel attacks against energy infrastructures. Kremlin says though that the free movement of ships cannot be secured unless sanctions against the Russian banks involved in the national trade with food and fertilizers are lifted. Detailed talks on Sunday and Monday over the energy and maritime ceasefire in Riyadh between the USA and Russia and between Ukraine and the USA initially ended without an agreement. Washington will continue to stage talks between the two sides with a view to settling the conflict, the White House says.
GAS OMV Petrom and Romgaz have started drilling for the development and exploitation of natural gas deposits in the Neptun Deep perimeter, located 160 km offshore the Black Sea. The project is progressing according to plan, with the first production estimated for 2027, representatives of the two companies have announced. Neptun Deep will contribute to Romania’s natural gas production with about 8 billion cubic meters annually, once the production plateau is reached. This is a historic moment, as Black Sea gas means a real and safe alternative for all Europeans, and this project will reduce dependence on Russia and strengthen Romania’s economic position, said Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja.
FOOTBALL The Romanian national football side defeated San Marino 5-1 on Monday evening, away from home, in Group H of the 2026 World Cup preliminaries. The specialized press in Bucharest notes that Romania won a dull match with a modest opponent, against whom it scored five goals. One was an own goal, and two from penalties. In the same group, Bosnia defeated Cyprus at home 2-1. Austria is also part of the group. On Friday, in the debut match of the preliminaries, the Romanians lost, in Bucharest, 0-1, to the Bosnians. Romania has not qualified for a World Cup final tournament since 1998. The winners of the 12 preliminary groups will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. The 12 second-place teams in the groups and the highest-ranked group winners from the 2024-25 Nations League, which did not qualify through the preliminaries, will fight for the other four places available for the European zone.
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