November 19, 2023
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 19.11.2023, 13:53
Africa tour. Romania and Zanzibar wish to expand cooperation in areas such education, tourism, agriculture and IT, said Romanian president Klaus Iohannis during a trip to this autonomous province in Tanzania. Iohannis on Saturday met his counterpart from Zanzibar, whom he assured that the authorities in Bucharest would continue to support Romanian investments and businesses in Africa. During his tour, which began in Kenya and will continue with a state visit to Cape Verde and an official visit to Senegal, Iohannis is presenting his counterparts with Bucharests assessments of regional and international security, given that Romania is a neighbour of Ukraine. “We had concrete talks about how we can manage the many consequences of the war, including in terms of food security for the states in Africa. We presented the far-reaching political and diplomatic, logistical and administrative measures taken by Romania to facilitate Ukraines grain exports, including to countries in Africa”, said the Romanian president after talks with the president of Tanzania, Samia Hassan. The tour is the first political and diplomatic endeavour at this level in the last 30 years and aims to relaunch Romanias relations with the countries in Africa.
Exhibition. Romanian minister of culture Raluca Turcan is today beginning a two-day visit to Rome to attend the opening of an exhibition entitled “Dacia, the Last Frontier of the Roman World”, a project designed and coordinated by Romanias National Museum of History. Taking place until the 24th April next year, the exhibition brings together over 900 archaeological artifacts following the history of the present-day territory of Romania over the course of over 1,000 years. During her trip to Rome, the minister will also have talks with her Italian counterpart Gennaro Sangiuliano and the minister of culture from the Republic of Moldova, Sergiu Prodan and will meet Romanian nationals living in Italy and working in the field of culture.
Elections. The second round for mayor elections are held today in the Republic of Moldova in 270 localities, including the countrys second largest city of Bălţi. With the pro-Europeans having lost in the first round, including in the capital Chişinău, vying for the mayor seat are now two left-wing, pro-Russia parties. Despite losing the main cities, the pro-Europeans dominated the first round and have many candidates in the second. “Regardless of how many seats the Socialists and other opposition candidates may win the second round, they will not exceed the number of seats won by the pro-European ruling party”, commentator Nicolae Negru told Radio Chişinău.
Football. Romania qualified for Euro 2024 as they defeated Israel on Saturday evening 2-1 away in Hungary in their last but final match in qualifying Group I. Romania needed a draw to qualify and it will be the sixth time they are taking part in a European football championship, having previously done so in 1984, 1996, 2000, 2008 and 2016. Undefeated in the nine matches played, Romania now top the group as Switzerland drew at home against Kosovo 1-all. Next Tuesday, Romania will play their final group match at home against Switzerland, and they only need a draw to finish the group in first place.
Weather. Heavy wind and snow have created the first big problems in Romania this season. The east, south-east and west of the country were the worst hit regions, with the winds causing damage to roof tops and cars and felling trees and electricity poles. Unit 1 of the nuclear power plant in Cernavoda automatically shut down and several wind turbines stopped working because of the bad weather. The ports on the Black Sea were closed because of the strong wind. The weather has improved today, but strong wind is still forecast in the south-east. Temperature wise, the highs today are between 2 and 10 degrees Celsius, with 10 in the capital Bucharest at noon. (CM)
