May 5, 2023 UPDATE
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 05.05.2023, 19:54
PROGRAMME – The Romanian Education Ministry on Friday launched the financing programme for the construction and development of a pilot network of green schools, a component of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. €225 million are earmarked for this programme, which will finance refurbishment works that will make the buildings more energy efficient and environment friendly. The construction of new schools, out of eco-friendly materials, is also planned.
CORONATION – Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, is attending the coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom. Princess Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania, and Prince Consort Radu are also attending the ceremony. On Saturday morning, the Kings Coronation procession will take King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. Romanian media describes King Charles as a great friend of Romania which he has constantly visited in the last 20 years. King Charles has helped preserve and popularize traditions and customs in Transylvania. He also owns a number of properties in Romania.
FUEL – Fuel prices continue to drop in Romania, standing at an average of €1.33 for both gasoline and Diesel. In Bucharest, prices for standard gasoline range between €1.28 and €1.32, while standard Diesel sells for €1.28 up to €.1.32. Romania ranks 2nd and 3rd at EU level in terms of the cheapest price for gas and Diesel, respectively.
FUNDING – The government on Thursday adopted the roadmap for the signing of funding contracts addressing 27 hospitals. Procedures are expected to be finalized by the end of the year. 7 new county hospitals will be built and equipped, while 20 public hospitals will be fitted with modern equipment. Total funding provided by the EU and the European Investment Bank stands at €2 bln.
MOLDOVA – For security reasons, the Republic of Moldova will shut down its airspace to all civilian aircraft on June 1, when the country will host a summit of European leaders, the Civil Aviation Authority of Moldova has announced. Only aircraft carrying official participants will be allowed to land. All drones will also be grounded starting May 31. Chișinău expects over 50 heads of state and government and representatives of EU institutions to attend the European Policy Community Summit, bringing together EU members and other 18 countries in Europe. The Republic of Moldova has been affected by Russias war in Ukraine, which the pro-European president Maia Sandu has repeatedly condemned. Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, missile debris has also crashed on Moldovan territory. In other news, the EU Foreign Affairs Council has adopted the disbursement of €40 mln to support the Moldovan defense sector, and a similar €30 mln aid package addressing Georgia. The funds will be earmarked under the European Peace Facility, which is also used to provide military assistance to Ukraine. The measure will finance non-lethal equipment, supplies and services, to the units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova including technical training, where required.
SHOOTING – A shooter killed at least 8 people and wounded 13 in a drive-by shooting in Mladenovac, a town 60 km from Belgrade. This is the second mass-shooting in two days in Serbia. The suspect, a 21-year-old man who fled the attack scene, is in police custody. The reasons of the attack remain unclear. Serbias Interior Minister, Bratislav Gaąić, described the shooting as a “terrorist attack” without providing additional details. We recall that less than 48 hours before the attack, a teenager killed 8 of his peers and a security guard in a school in Belgrade. The Serbian Government is considering tougher gun laws. (EE/VP)
