May 31, 2016 UPDATE
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 31.05.2016, 12:30
THREATS The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, says the recent statements made by Moscow are inaccurate, and emphasised that the anti-missile platform in Deveselu does not target Russia. Such ungrounded threats reconfirm that Romania’s approach, namely to strengthen NATO security in response to Moscow’s stance in the Black Sea region, is the right one, Iohannis said in Bucharest on Tuesday, upon opening the Black Sea Security Programme. On Saturday, the Romanian Foreign Ministry expressed its surprise with the statements of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, who said Romania might be in the sight of Russian rockets because it hosts elements of the American missile defence system. These statements, said the Foreign Ministry, may be read as a threat to regional security.
HEXI PHARMA DNA tests have confirmed that Dan Condrea, owner of Hexi Pharma company, which is the protagonist of a huge scandal about the diluted disinfectants used in the Romanian hospitals, was in the car that on May 23rd crashed into a tree close to Bucharest, the General Prosecutor’s Office announced on Tuesday. The prosecutors have confirmed the DNA samples taken from the car indeed belong to Condrea’s body. Concurrently with the investigation of his death, prosecutors are carrying on another investigation in the case of the diluted disinfectants used in hospitals around Romania. Currently under house arrest, the company’s general director, Flori Dinu, has been charged with fraud and thwarting disease control. According to prosecutors, Dinu coordinated the entire personnel who promoted the Hexi Pharma products and concluded contracts with hospitals although she knew the products didn’t have the concentration mentioned on the label. Legal sources, quoted by the press, say Dinu is facing a 30-year prison sentence. Production manager Mihai Leva is also facing penal prosecution. Hexi Pharma has caused over 6 million euros in prejudices over the past 4 years.
FOOTBALL Romania’s football representative is in Bucharest training for their friendly on Friday against the Georgian selection, the last before the European Championships in France. Last week during their training session in Italy, Romania was held to a one-all draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo and lost 3-4 to Ukraine. At Euro 2016, Romania will be playing France in the opening game on June 10th. Their group also includes Switzerland and Albania. In the next season, Romania will have five sides in the European cups. Champion Astra Giurgiu and vice-champions Steaua Bucharest will be playing in the Champions League, while Pandurii Targu Jiu, Viitorul Constanta and CSMS Iasi will be playing in the Europa League.
MEETING Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos on Wednesday will be participating in the meeting of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Bulgaria. Staged by Bulgaria, which is currently holding the presidency of this body, the meeting has a special significance as it marks two decades since the setting up of this regional cooperation structure, which brings together 12 countries. High on the agenda will be latest regional developments and the European prospects of the countries in the Western Balkans. On the sidelines of this meeting, the Romanian Prime Minister is expected to be meeting his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov.
PROTEST Trade unions in Romania’s education system are staging a protest rally in Bucharest on Wednesday asking for better pay. Organizers are expecting 15 thousand participants including students and parents. The protesters are chiefly calling for the allocation of 6% of the GDP for education as the National Education Law stipulates. Trade unions believe that such a budget will allow higher scholarships, reduced travel fees for commuting students and improve the process of fitting schools with the right equipment. The decision for this rally has been made after negotiations with the government failed on Monday.
