October 10, 2022 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 10.10.2022, 20:07

REACTION – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has firmly condemned Russias horrific missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and civil infrastructure. Iohannis said in a post on Twitter that Romania will continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Kremlins aggression. On Monday morning Russia heavily bombarded a number of Ukrainian cities including the capital Kyiv, killing and injuring people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced he agreed with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on convening an emergency G7 meeting. NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg has reiterated the support for Ukraine and has condemned the Russian attacks.

REFUGEES – Romania is better prepared to receive Ukrainian refugees, the state secretary with the interior ministry Raed Arafat said. On Sunday the Romanian official travelled to the Suceava hub for a donation ceremony also attended by the French ambassador to Bucharest, Laurence Auer, and the Ukrainian ambassador in Romania, Ihor Prokopchuk. Fifteen fire engines and ambulances were brought to the hub by 40 members of the French civil protection agency, and further materials will reach Suceava in a few days. The largest French aid batch for Ukraine, consisting in over 1 tonne of pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and intervention vehicles, has reached the Black Sea port of Constanţa Sud-Agigea.

DEFICIT – In the first 8 months of the year Romania’s trade balance deficit deepened by nearly EUR 7.4 billion, to stand at EUR 22 billion. According to data made public by the National Statistics Institute on Monday, exports went up 25%, to EUR 60.3 billion, and imports rose by 31%, to roughly EUR 83 billion. Vehicles and transport equipment, as well as other manufactured products, accounted for a large part of Romania’s foreign trade. Over 70% of the total imports and exports involved the EU market.

PILGRIMAGE – The north-eastern Romanian city of Iaşi is hosting these days a traditional pilgrimage devoted to St. Paraskeva, commemorated on the 14 October and viewed as the patron saint of Moldavia. Thousands of Orthodox believers from around the country and from abroad have already come to pray at St. Paraskeva’s relics, hosted by the Metropolitan Cathedral. The Iași pilgrimage is the largest Orthodox pilgrimage in the country, with around 300,000 people expected to attend this year.

AIRPORT – As of Monday, the Bucharest Otopeni Airport is upgrading its baggage handling systems at the Departures terminal, the Bucharest National Airport Company has announced. Until next August, the number of check-in counters will be significantly reduced. The current baggage handling system is more than 20 years old, and its replacement requires an over EUR 20 million investment. After the works, the processing capacity will be 40% higher, and 12 counters for passengers to drop off their own baggage without resorting to a check-in counter will also be available, the Company announced.

VETERINARY – EU experts are assessing these days the veterinary services at the border check points Stamora Moraviţa, in Timiş County, on the border with Serbia, and at the Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport, the National Veterinary and Food Safety Agency announced. The assessment comes in the context of Romania’s prospective Schengen area accession. The Czech presidency of the EU Council announced last week that in the December summit it will seek a unanimous decision on Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the passport-free travel area.

SPORTS – The Romanian team CSM Bucharest defeated the Dutch side Odense Handbold, 31-27 (16-13), on Sunday, away from home, in Group A of the women’s handball Champions’ League. Undefeated in 4 matches, the Romanian team is to play next at home on 16 October, against DHK Banik Most. In turn, CS Rapid Bucharest won 34-32 (19-14) against the Danish team Team Esbjerg, in a home game on Sunday in Group B of the same competition. This was the 3rd win for the Romanian champions in the competition. Rapid will play next against Buducnost Podgorica, away from home, on 15 October. (EE)