The permanent office of the two chambers of Parliament convened on Monday to agree on the membership of a special committee which will be analysing the draft law for the gold and silver mining project at Rosia Montana, central Romania. The announcement was made on Friday by Chamber of Deputies Speaker Valeriu Zgonea. For almost a week now, Bucharest and other cities in Romania have seen street protests against the controversial mining project at Rosia Montana. Environmental NGOs claim the cyanide used in the technical mining process risks irreversibly damaging the environment. On the other hand, the Government claims the set up of the mine would generate hundreds of jobs and bring in over 5 billion dollars to the state budget.<\/p>\n
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Rendering the defence planning process more transparent and boosting collaboration among EU member states is impossible without the high officials\u2019 strong commitment in this respect, the Romanian Defence Minister Mircea Dusa said at the EU defence ministers meeting in Vilnius. On this occasion Mircea Dusa told the European officials that Romania would like a pragmatic solution to be found, able to allow more EU companies in the defence industry to take part in joint projects in the field. On the same note, the \u201cEuropean Council meeting in December this year is a good opportunity to give fresh impetus to the process of developing capabilities within the EU\u201d, according to a release of the Romanian Defence Ministry.<\/p>\n
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Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Friday called on local authorities to make sure the new school year, which starts on September 16th, will unfold smoothly. He also asked for measures to be taken in terms of safety in schools and around school areas. In another development, the Education Ministry has also announced that the success rate in the second session of the Baccalaureate\u2019s is 21.5%, by 4% smaller than last year.<\/p>\n
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US President Barack Obama has announced he would address the American nation with respect to Syria on Tuesday. In a press conference held in Sankt Petersburg, following the G20 summit, the White House leader admitted it would be difficult to obtain Congress\u2019s approval for a military intervention in that country. G20 leaders have maintained their contrasting views of the Syrian crisis. The White House has announced that 11 of the world\u2019s most powerful 20 economies have condemned the recent chemical attack in Syria and have called for a strong response of the international community. France and Germany are awaiting the results of the investigation conducted by UN inspectors before making a decision. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said that a military operation against Syria might have tragic and serious consequences and lead to further inter-religious violence. The UN official insisted that any action against this country will need the UN\u2019s approval in order to be legitimate.<\/p>\n
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Romania is taking part in the 7th<\/sup> edition of the Francophone Games, organized between September 7th<\/sup> and 15th<\/sup> in Nice, France. According to the Romanian Cultural Institute, one of the best known Romanian artists pan flute player Gheorghe Zamfir will be holding a concert alongside his band. Romania\u2019s presence at the event also includes a Romanian blouse exhibition, pottery-making demonstrations, traditional fabrics (carpets and fabrics from Oltenia) and small-sized sculptures (including wooden icons) and painting exhibitions. Held every four years, the event brings together over 3,000 young athletes and artists from all French-speaking countries.<\/p>\n
The \u201cGeorge Enescu\u201d International Music Festival continues on Saturday with a concert performed by the \u201cGeorge Enescu\u201d Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir at the Palace Hall in Bucharest. Also on Saturday the Romanian Athenaeum will play host to a concert performed by \u201cLa Venexiana\u201d ensemble. The workshop \u201c21st<\/sup> century Music — Enescu and his contemporaries\u201d will also continue with new activities. The festival will come to a close on September 28th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n
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