13 July, 2016
Three justices appointed to top court in Romania, Romanian companies work with Vietnam
Daniela Budu, 13.07.2016, 12:00
COURT APPOINTMENTS – President Klaus Iohannis called on the newly appointed Constitutional Court justices to uphold high standards of professionalism and independence. He also called on them to build the court into a model of clear, coherent and predictable jurisprudence. Three new justices were sworn in for the next nine years. The nine justices are expected to elect soon their chief justice, with four candidates in the running, Mona Pivniceru, Valer Dorneanu, Daniel Morar and Livia Stanciu.
HANOI – Romanian PM Dacian Ciolos continues his visit to Vietnam. He was welcomed by the president and the PM. They explored new opportunities for cooperation in energy, industry, farming, banking, infrastructure, IT, science and technology, sustainable development and tourism. In the energy sector, Romanian companies Transgaz and Transelectrica have signed memorandums with similar companies in Vietnam. A cooperation program in education and training, as well as culture, was signed for 2016-2020. The Romanian PM also took part in a business forum, where he presented the opportunities displayed by Romania economically, considering a relationship 66 years old.
NATO – NATO and Russia are holding talks in Brussels on the Alliance’s bolstering of its capabilities on the eastern flank, after the Warsaw summit. Analysts in Moscow claim that the main threat for Russia is the anti-ballistic missile shield in Eastern Europe, elements of which are in Romania and Poland. NATO’s message to Moscow is that there is no contradiction between defending allied states and dialog with Russia. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that he did not wish for another cold war in Europe.
BREXIT – British PM David Cameron submits today his resignation to Queen Elisabeth. The pro-European head of government announced the move on June 24, right after the Brexit vote. He was supposed to hold his position until autumn, but decided to step down in favor of Home Secretary Theresa May. She will be in charge of applying Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, taking the UK out of the European Union, with a two year deadline. Theresa May will be Britain’s second female prime minister after Margaret Thatcher, who held the position between 1979 and 1990.
TENNIS – Romanian tennis player Monica Niculescu meets today Slovenian player Polona Hercog in the BRD Bucharest Open tournament. On Thursday, two Romanians, Simona Halep, fifth seeded in the world, and the favorite, Patricia Tig, play against Bulgarian Isabella Shinikova and Latvian Anastasia Sevastova. 250,000 dollars are at stake in the tournament.
HANDBALL – Romanias womens national handball team has got through to the Under-20 World Championship semi-finals, having defeated Croatia by the narrowest of margins, 21-20. This coming Thursdays fixture will see Romania taking on Denmark. A win will secure a ticket for the final, where Romania faces the winner of the game pitting host country team Russia against Germany.
ACCIDENT – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis conveyed condolences to his Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella, after the deadly railroad accident in the south of Italy. Over 70 people were left dead and injured after two passenger trains slammed into each other head on, close to Bari, on the Adriatic coast. Considering that over five thousand Romanians live in the area, the Romanian authorities were justifiably worried, but no Romanians were injured in the collision.
