May 13, 2023

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 13.05.2023, 13:48

EU. Romania’s EU foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu attended an informal
meeting of EU foreign ministers with Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba
in Stockholm. According to a statement from the Romanian foreign ministry,
Kuleba presented the latest developments on the ground and spoke of the support
Ukraine still needs and the prospects for the implementation of the Peace
Formula proposed by president Volodymyr Zelensky. Minister Aurescu voiced
appreciation for Ukraine’s extraordinary resilience in the context of Russia’s
war of aggression. He also presented the support given by Bucharest for the 4.2
million refugees who have crossed the border into Romania since the start of
the war and for the transit of agricultural products accounting for some 15.5 million
tonnes. He also emphasised that the EU enlargement is a strategic option for
the Union and highlighted firm support for the European path of Ukraine and the
Republic of Moldova and for a decision to start accession talks with these two
states by the end of the year. Previously, at an informal meeting of EU foreign
ministers on Friday, minister Aurescu emphasised the need for continued support
for Ukraine.

Poll. Europeans agree with the support given by the European Union for
the reforms of member states, according to a flash barometer conducted last
month over the telephone. 42% of respondents believe the Union could promote
the exchange the best practice among member states and confirm the importance
of the support granted by the EU to member states for crisis management, such
as pandemics, natural disasters and conflicts, and 34% believe the Union could
provide member states with knowledge and expertise to design and implement
reforms. Member states’ public administrations could be more efficient, believe
almost half of respondents. For an increased level of trust in their country’s
public administration, many Europeans say this should be less bureaucratic and
more transparent in its decisions and the use of public funds. Europeans also
believe reforms are most needed in public health and education.

Book fair. The Gaudeamus Book Fair organised by Radio Romania is under
way in Oradea, in north-western Romania, with book launches and presentations
on the line-up. 50 different participants, including prestigious publishing
houses and Romanian and foreign book distribution agencies are presenting their
offer until Sunday. Visitors can choose from among thousands of titles in
various fields, mostly recent publications. According to the organisers, the
editorial offer is complemented by a selection of educational games and music.

Museums. A record number of 311 different cultural events form part of the Long
Night of Museums held today and tonight and which is held jointly in Romania
and the Republic of Moldova. 60 of these events are held in Bucharest, hosted
by museums, art galleries and cultural and exhibition centres. The special
guest this year is the War Childhood Museum, a world phenomenon which now
travels for the first time to Romania. Its exhibition, which is hosted by the
Romanian Peasant Museum and stays open until June 12, is entitled Listen and
brings together stories and testimonies of children affected by war. The
Romanian Athenaeum, the Football Museum and the Chamber of Commerce and
Industry in Bucharest are participating for the first time. Last year’s edition
of the Long Night of Museums featured 260 museums and cultural venues in more
than 90 towns and cities across Romania.

Eurovision. The Eurovision song final is held tonight in Liverpool, with 26
countries competing. In a special tribute to Ukraine, 11 Ukrainian musicians
will be performing, including last year’s winner, the Kalush Orchestra.
Romania’s entry, Theodor Andrei and his song ‘D.G.T. (Off and On) did not make
it to the final. Romania’s best results at the Eurovision were the third place
in 2005 in Kyiv and in 2010 in Oslo and a fourth place in 2006 in Athens. (CM)