14 July, 2016

Romanian PM attends Europe-Asia summit, Romanian diaspora minister visits UK

Bogdan Matei, 14.07.2016, 11:59

HANOI — Romanian PM Dacian Ciolos met in Hanoi with the members of the Vietnam-Romania Friendship Association, calling on them to support efforts by the authorities in Bucharest to boost economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries. He specified the two countries meet the conditions for enhanced cooperation, recalling that thousands of Vietnamese have studied in Romania. The PM had previously met with Vietnams president and prime minister to discuss bilateral relations. The head of government is now in Ulan Bator, attending the Europe-Asia summit.

BRITAIN — The newly appointed cabinet minister in Romania in charge of relations with the diaspora, Maria Ligor, goes on a two day visit to the UK, where she is set to meet officials, and members of the Romanian community. The minister will discuss the impact of the Brexit on Romanians living in the UK. On Wednesday, before submitting his resignation to Queen Elisabeth, PM Cameron said that London would continue to observe all the rights due EU citizens. He handed over the highest office to his Conservative party colleague Theresa May, who tapped former London mayor Boris Johnson, a staunch pro-Brexit advocate, to head the Foreign Office.

PRISON — Protests continue in 12 of the 45 penitentiaries in Romania, with inmates angry at overcrowding and below par healthcare. They also want the opportunity for vocational training, lower jail terms, and the possibility of parole. Justice Minister Raluca Pruna said that the escalation of conflict in penitentiaries was of use to no one, and said that the government would deal with the demands. Deputy PM Vasile Dancu said that the situation can only be solved by dialog and negotiation, and that a public debate was needed to convince society to invest further in the system.

FOOTBALL — Romanian football team CSMS Iasi in the northwest on home turf tonight take on Croatian contenders Hajduk Split, in the first leg of EUROPA League’s second preliminary round. It is an absolute first, for the city of Iasi, since no other team in the city has played in a European competition before. The return leg will be played in Croatia on July 21st.

TENNIS — The drawing of lots is held today for Davis Cup matches pitting the teams of Romania against the similar teams of Spain and counting towards the second round of Europe — Africa Zone’s Group I. For the match scheduled to kick-start in the northwestern Romanian city of Cluj this coming Friday, Romania’s non-playing captain Andrei Pavel has summoned Marius Copil, Adrian Ungur, Horia Tecău and Florin Mergea. In turn, the head of the Spanish delegation Conchita Martinez has summoned Roberto Buutista-Agut, Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno-Busta and Marc Lopez. Still in his recovery period because of an injury, the famous Rafael Nadal will be missing from Spain’s team ahead of the fixture against Romania. The winning team will play this coming autumn in the World Group playoffs, while the defeated side will also play in Group I. Also today in BRD Bucharest Open’s round of 16, WTA 5th-ranked and top-seed Simona Halep faces Bulgaria’s Isabella Shinikova, while Patricia Tig takes on Latvia’s Anastasia Sevastova. The Bucharest tournament has 250 thousand dollars in prize money.

HANDBALL — Romanias womens handball team plays today against Denmark in the semifinals of the Under-20 World Championships in Moscow. The winner will play against the winner of the other semifinal, disputed by Russia and Germany. The qualification comes after Romanias mens handball team won the University World Championships, held in Malaga, Spain. The national womens team won the silver in that competition.

FRANCE — Countries around the world join France today in celebrating its national day. The French embassy in Romania holds a reception celebrating Romanian-French cooperation. The French PM Manuel Valls launched a campaign in October last year called Creative France- Let Us Experience French Creativity, promoting French innovation and vitality in industry and the arts. Romania is a strategic partner for France.