May 10, 2023

Click here for a roundup of local and world news

Newsroom, 10.05.2023, 13:55

EDUCATION Trade
unions in Romanian public education organise a protest rally in Bucharest today, as a way to sound
the alarm on the problems facing the Romanian education sector. The unions demand pay raises in the sector, as well as an
annual increase in investments in order to improve the relevant infrastructure
and equipment. Unionists also warn that a poll
is under way among education staff, with respect to an all-out strike starting
on May 22. Meanwhile, new draft
education laws are being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies for a first vote,
after the specialist committee introduced a number of amendments to the
original bills, including a national plan to curb violence in schools.

VISIT The PM of the Republic of Korea, Han
Duck-Soo, is on a visit to Bucharest today, and is scheduled to have meetings
with president Klaus Iohannis and with PM Nicolae Ciucă. The 2 prime ministers
are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Romanian Maritime Port
Authority and the Busan Port Authority. The Korean official is also scheduled
to have a meeting with the Chamber of Deputies speaker, Marcel Ciolacu.

DEFENCE The Romanian chief of defence,
general Daniel Petrescu, is taking part today and tomorrow in the meetings of
the NATO Military Committee and the EU Military Committee, respectively. Defence
chiefs from the 31 Allied states, with the Swedish chief of defence as a guest,
will look at the dynamics of the war in Ukraine. Talks will focus on analysing
the implementation of measures aimed at strengthening NATO’s defence and deterrence
posture, ahead of the decisions to be made at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The
participants will also look at ways to continue supporting Ukraine. Another
major topic of the meeting is the analysis of member and partner states’
participation in EU missions and operations.

INDEPENDENCE Romania celebrates its
National Independence Day today. On May 10, 1877, Prince Carol I, who would
subsequently become the first king of Romania, signed the country’s
Proclamation of Independence from the Ottoman Empire. The document had been
read in Parliament the day before by the foreign minister Mihail Kogălniceanu, and
endorsed by Parliament’s two chambers. The occasion is celebrated in Bucharest
with a ceremony at the Heroes Monument in front of the National Defence
University, while military and religious ceremonies are also held in cities
across the country.

EUROPE In a message on Europe Day, celebrated on May
9, president Klaus Iohannis said Romania is a mature and responsible member
state, with a solid and credible European profile, recognised and appreciated
by our partners. In turn, PM Nicolae Ciucă said Romania is part of the
solution to the security challenges that the EU is facing, and that now is the
time for Romania to be acknowledged as a full Schengen member.

TRANSPORT The European Commission for
Transport, Adina Vălean, is in Romania today and tomorrow, to hand over to
Romanian beneficiaries 2 grants for military mobility, in Constanta, in the presence of the
Romanian transport minister Sorin Grindeanu, the European Commission announced.
The two projects concern the design and building of the Ungheni bridge and
upgrading the railway infrastructure in the port of Constanţa, a critical
element of the EU – Ukraine solidarity lanes. (AMP)