ENERGY The government of Romania passed a bill lifting the
\nobligation for owners of more than one house to submit sworn statements in
\norder to benefit from energy price caps. On the other hand, the government also
\ndecided that the 10 Eurocent governmental discount on fuel prices will no
\nlonger be applied as of January 1, 2023. PM Nicolae Ciuc\u0103 promised that the
\nauthorities are prepared to reintroduce this measure in the future, should
\nprices go up beyond citizens’ spending power.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
FOREIGN POLICY In 2023, ‘Romania’s foreign ministry will continue to
\ngive special attention to Romania’s Schengen accession and to joining the
\nOrganisation for Cooperation and Economic Development (OCDE)’. The announcement
\nwas made by the foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu in a Report on Romania’s
\ndiplomatic activity released on Thursday. As far as 2022 is concerned, the
\nReport says the year was marked at both a regional and a global level by the
\nwar of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The
\nreport also covers the outcomes of the NATO Summit in Madrid in June 2022, and Bucharest’s
\nsuccessful hosting of the meeting of NATO foreign ministers and of the Munich
\nLeaders Meeting in November 2022. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
COVID The
\nEuropean Commission organises today a meeting of healthcare officials to
\ndiscuss a coordinated EU approach of the surge in Covid cases in China, AFP
\nreports. After China loosened its strict zero-tolerance rules earlier this
\nmonth, which triggered an explosion of cases in the country, states around the
\nworld are worried that new variants of the virus would spread from there. Italy
\nhas already on Wednesday introduced compulsory testing for incoming travellers
\nfrom China, a measure also adopted by other countries, including the US and Japan.
\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
UKRAINE Ukraine suffered
\n‘massive’ attacks involving over 120 Russian missiles on Thursday morning in
\nseveral cities including the capital Kyiv, the Ukrainian Army and Presidency announced.
\nAir raid alerts sounded across the country. According to Ukraine’s head of
\nintelligence services, the war is currently at a deadlock, as neither Ukraine
\nnor Russia are able to make significant progress. In an interview to the BBC, Kyrylo
\nBudanov said Russia was at a dead end, suffering significant losses, but he
\nadmitted that Ukraine lacks the resources to move forward. He added that Kyiv
\nwas waiting for more advanced weapons. Ever since October, Russia has been regularly
\nhitting Ukraine’s energy and other critical infrastructure. Kremlin warned that
\nthere will be no New Year ceasefire in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
SOLIDARITY
\nIn the Republic of Moldova, neighbouring both Romania and Ukraine, lights will
\nbe turned off in the government’s and other public buildings, in solidarity
\nwith the millions of people in Ukraine left without electricity, water supply and
\nheating. Last week, the Rome Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House, the European
\nParliament and the Wembley went dark in solidarity with Ukraine. In Bucharest, the
\nCity Hall discontinued holiday lighting for one hour during the winter solstice
\nnight.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
HANDBALL Romania’s
\nmen’s handball team takes on Algeria today in the 3rd place playoff
\nof the Carpa\u0163i Trophy, a competition
\ntraditionally hosted by Romania and taking place this year in Oradea. On Wednesday, Romania lost to Slovakia, 31-30, and
\nAlgeria was defeated by Egypt 38-27. The trophy
\nfinal pits Egypt against Slovakia. (AMP)<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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