May 10, 2025 UPDATE
A roundup of local and international news
Newsroom, 10.05.2025, 20:00
SUMMIT – It is in Romania’s interest to reach a lasting and just peace in Ukraine as quickly as possible, said on Saturday the interim president, Ilie Bolojan, who participated via videoconference, in the “Coalition of the Willing” Summit in Kyiv. He said that all the leaders participating in the meeting supported the proposal to establish a total and unconditional ceasefire, for a period of 30 days, in Ukraine, as well as the need to keep pressure on Russia, including through new sanctions, in case of non-compliance with the ceasefire. Bolojan also added that the essential role of the United States and the close cooperation with this strategic ally were emphasized. Russia rejected on Saturday what it called the pressures exerted on it to accept a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
MAY 10 – May 10th has a triple significance for Romanians. On May 10th, Romania celebrates National Independence Day. The Russian-Turkish War that broke out in April 1877 was the ideal opportunity for Romania to gain its independence from the Ottoman Empire. On May 10th, 1877, the motion submitted by the Assembly of Deputies and the Senate was promulgated by King Carol I, becoming law and officially marking the birth of the independent Romanian state. Also on May 10th, Royalty Day is celebrated, which was Romania’s National Day from 1866 to 1947, until the communists came to power. May 10th marks the beginning of the 48-year reign of Carol I of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen, the first king in a dynasty of four. Events dedicated to celebrating National Independence Day were held in Bucharest and across the country today. A military ceremony took place in Bucharest at the Monument to the Heroes of the Fatherland, with similar activities being announced in collaboration with local authorities in cities across the country, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
MOLDOVA – An agreement on the economic growth plan of the Republic of Moldova with financial support from the European Union, was signed in Chisinau, on Friday, on Europe Day, during the visit of Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. The support of 1.9 billion euros also comes with a commitment for the Republic of Moldova to respect European values, to strengthen good governance, the rule of law, the fight against corruption and to increase institutional resilience, said Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean. The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said, in turn, that the growth plan represents the expression of the EU’s trust in the Republic of Moldova and its support for its European path, while also being an investment in a future member state. Marta Kos added that the long-term objective aims to double the economy and create 100,000 new jobs in the coming decades.
EUROPE – Tens of thousands of Romanians participated, on Friday evening, on Europe Day, in the largest pro-European march in recent years, both in Bucharest and in other cities of the country. Under the slogan “One path: Europe”, people took to the streets to affirm their adherence to EU values and to Romania’s EU membership. Similar rallies were held in Iași (northeast), Galați (southeast), Oradea (northwest), Arad (west), Cluj (northwest), Timișoara (west). As a sign of solidarity with those who took to the streets in the country, Romanians in Belgium organized a rally in Brussels, to emphasize the importance of democratic values, such as freedom, the market economy and freedom of movement.
TENNIS – The Romanian-Ukrainian pair Gabriela Ruse/Marta Kostiuk qualified, on Saturday, for the round of 16 of the doubles event of the WTA 1,000 tennis tournament in Rome, after a 6-3, 6-2 victory over the pair Miyu Kato (Japan)/Aldila Sutjiadi (Indonesia). Ruse and her co-player will face the pair Ulrikke Eikeri (Norway)/Eri Hozumi (Japan). In another match in the first round, the Romanian-Polish pair Monica Niculescu/Katarzyna Piter was defeated by the main favorites, Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada)/Erin Routliffe (New Zealand), with 6-4, 6-1. Also on Saturday, Romanian tennis player Jaqueline Cristian (74 WTA) was eliminated in the third round of Rome tournament, after being defeated by Russian Diana Şnaider (11 WTA), 3-6, 3-6. (EE)
