October 2, 2023

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 02.10.2023, 13:39

UNIVERSITY
YEAR – The Francophonie House was opened
today in the campus of the Polytechnics University of Bucharest, in a ceremony
attended by president Klaus Iohannis opening the new academic year. The House
is the second of its kind after the one in Paris. The building was erected in
record time and will house 300 students and researchers involved in different
scholarly projects. In 2023 Romania celebrates 30 years since it joined the
International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). In the opening of the new
academic year, Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu told students that observance
of the law and respect for fellow citizens underlie just and prosperous
societies. In turn, Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr attended the opening of the
academic year at the Military Academy. Education Minister Ligia Deca and Health
Minister Alexandru Rafila attended the opening ceremony at the Carol Davila
University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest.

STOCK
EXCHANGE – The
Bucharest Stock Exchange had an output of 22% in the first 9 months of the
year, according to the Romanian Stock Market index (BET), rating 20 of the most
traded companies in Romania. Factoring in the stock options provided by these
companies, the stock market also recoded earnings of nearly 30%. A third of
this growth was reported in September, when the two indexes reached an all-time
high, growing by 9% and 10% respectively. The top three most traded companies
last week were Hidroelectrica, OMV Petrom and Transilvania Bank.

FLU – The anti-flu vaccination campaign kicks off this
week, with a few changes compared to previous years. Certain categories of the
population will continue to benefit from fully-subsidized vaccines, based on
prescriptions provided by family physicians. People aged 65, children under 6,
institutionalized people, pregnant women, chronically ill patients and medical
staff will benefit from free-of-charge vaccination in medical practices. Right
now, the anti-flu shots can also be administered in certain drug stores.
Medical experts warn the flu virus could cause trouble this year amidst a
resurge of COVID-19 cases.

PNRR – Romania received the second installment of European
funds as part of its national recovery and resilience plan (PNRR), worth 2.7
bln EUR. Romania has so far fulfilled 49 of the 51 milestones linked to the second
installment. Two milestones regarding investments in energy have not been fully
implemented, yet Brussels believes Romania has taken measures to remedy the
situation. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said the government must be efficient
and transparent in administering these funds earmarked for a number of key
reforms addressing green and digital transition. At the same time, Bucharest is
focusing on implementing milestones and targets pertaining to the third
installment, the Prime Minister added. So far Romania was disbursed 10 of the
total of 29 bln EUR as grants and loans under PNRR.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS – Foreign Minister
Luminița Odobescu is today attending the informal meeting of EU Foreign
Ministers hosted by Kyiv, Ukraine. In a post on social media, the Romanian
official wrote she will convey Romania’s firm support for Ukraine and its
people. Together we support the values of democracy, peace and freedom, the
Foreign Minister added. Also on social media, the EU High Representative for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said We are convening
in a historic meeting of the EU foreign ministers here in Ukraine, candidate
country and future member of the EU. We are here to express our solidarity and
support to the Ukrainian people, Borrell said in his statement. Ukraine’s
Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, hailed the first meeting of his European peers
in Kyiv, held within what he described as the future borders of the European
Union.

ILLEGAL
WASTE – Two transports of illegal waste from
Italy were identified on Sunday on the premises of a company in Bihor County,
prosecutors have announced in the wake of searches conducted in a number of
counties in Western Romania. The authorities targeted the headquarters and
operating halls of companies that illegally imported waste. Prosecutors have
identified 57 such transports totaling some 1,500 tons of illegal waste. Other
such transports were halted at the border.

UNEMPLOYMENT – The unemployment rate stood at 5.4% in August, down
by 0.1% compared to the previous month, the National Statistics Institute
reports. Unemployment in men is 1% higher compared to women. Youth unemployment
remains high, standing at some 22%. People aged 25-74 accounted for 78% of the
total number of unemployed.

NOBEL – The 2023 Nobel Prize in
Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for
their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the
development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, the Royal Swedish
Academy of Science announced earlier today.

RUGBY – South Africa defeated Tonga 49-18 in a Pool B
fixture on Sunday and is very close to securing qualifications to the
quarterfinals of the World Rugby Cup hosted by France. South Africa leads the
Pool tables with 15 points, followed by Ireland with 14 points, Scotland with
10 points, Tonga and Romania with zero points. Romania conceded bitter defeats
to Ireland, South Africa and Scotland. Romania’s last match at the World Cup is
against Tonga on October 8. (VP)