July 22, 2016 UPDATE

PM Ciolos had talks with EU diplomats in Romania; rule of law under threat in Turkey

Newsroom, 22.07.2016, 00:05

EU AFFAIRS – The PM of Romania, Dacian Cioloş, had talks on Friday with officials from the embassies of EU countries to Bucharest. The main topics approached included the future of the European bloc, the implications of Brexit and the situation in Turkey. The participants also discussed the developments in the neighbouring Republic of Moldova, the visa regime for Romanian citizens traveling to Canada and the USA and the six-month presidency of the EU that Romania will hold in 2019. The meeting was informal and not aimed at making any decisions.

RULE OF LAW – The President of Romanias Higher Council of Magistrates, Mircea Aron, has expressed his deep concerns regarding a prospective violation of the rule of law, particularly with respect to judges and prosecutors, in the wake of the attempted coup in Turkey. He called on Ankara to guarantee compliance with all international human rights rules and treaties that Turkey is a party to. The Government in Turkey announced it would temporarily suspend the European Convention on Human Rights, after a three-month state of emergency was introduced on Thursday. Over the past few days tens of thousands of people, including officers, magistrates and civil servants, have been arrested or suspended from office.

ANTI-ISIS COALITION – The Romanian Defence Minister, Mihnea Motoc, visited Washington on Thursday and Friday, where he participated in a meeting of the countries contributing to the global anti-ISIS coalition headed by the US. He reiterated Romanias support for the international communitys efforts to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq within its internationally acknowledged borders. This year Romania will contribute a 50-strong contingent to the global coalition that will train and advise the Iraqi security forces.

RIO OLYMPICS – The Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, has handed the national flag to gymnast Cătălina Ponor who was designated by the Olympic Committee to carry Romanias flag in the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics. On the occasion, President Iohannis said that extending the physical education curriculum in schools was an emergency, if Romania is to be a strong competitor in international competitions and to be a healthy nation. Romanias athletes will participate in 16 sports events at the 31st edition of the Olympic Games to be held in Rio between August 5 and 21. As many as 100 Romanian athletes will go to Rio, most of whom will be competing in the athletic and rowing events.

PARIS – French prosecutors say the author of last weeks attack in Nice had planned the attack for months and benefited from help. They pointed out that the French Tunisian attacker was in permanent contact with other plotters. 5 suspects linked to the Nice attack have already appeared before the court. In Nice 84 people, a Romanian citizen included, have lost their lives and over 200 have been wounded. A week after the attack, the situation remains tense in France where the existing state of emergency has been extended by six months. The state of emergency was instated after the November 2015 Jihadist attacks in Paris.