June 13, 2015 UPDATE
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Newsroom, 13.06.2015, 12:05
The Romanian Foreign Ministry announced the entry into force, on June 13, of a law on Romanias accepting the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Romania thus conveys a clear message that its international relations are based on respect for the international law. The Foreign Ministry voiced its satisfaction with the fact that Romania is now under the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, the main judicial body of the UN, at a time when the country celebrates 60 years since it joined the organisation. A case settled by the ICJ in 2009 was the one involving the Black Sea continental shelf, subject to a dispute between Romania and Ukraine. Bucharests rights were acknowledged over 9,700 sq km of this territory, accounting for nearly 80% of the area. 72 countries in the world have so far accepted the jurisdiction of the ICJ, including 22 EU member states.
The Republic of Moldova is holding local elections on Sunday. According to analysts, the toughest races are the ones for the City Hall and the Municipal Council of the capital Chisinau. Polls indicate that the incumbent mayor, the Liberal Dorin Chirtoaca, a promoter of stronger ties with neighbouring Romania and with the EU, will compete in the runoff with the former Communist prime minister Zinaida Greceanîi, who is now running on behalf of the pro-Russian Socialists. The elections take place amid growing discontent with the current power, accused of inefficiency and corruption. On Friday the PM Chiril Gaburici announced his resignation, following accusations that he had forged his baccalaureate diploma.
Romanias women handball team was defeated on Saturday in Cluj by world vice-champions Serbia, 24-28, but qualified into the World Championship due in December. In the first leg of the playoffs, a week ago, the Romanians won 32-26 away from home. On Sunday, in Resita, the national mens handball team is facing Italy, in the preliminaries of the 2018 European Championships.
