March 14, 2019
Bucharest hosts European summit of regions and cities; US issues report singling out corruption as major issue in Romania
România Internațional, 14.03.2019, 14:01
SUMMIT – This Thursday and Friday, Bucharest hosts the 8th European Summit of regions and cities. For two days, national, local, and regional leaders discuss the future of the EU and the ways to involve more effectively citizens in the European future. At the meeting, European Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Cretu will hold a speech on the EUs cohesion policy, and will debate with local and regional authorities the benefits to be gained by structural funds and European investments. According to the EC representative office in Bucharest, at the summit, a declaration on the future of Europe and a new mandate of European institutions will be adopted, especially in view of the upcoming European Parliament elections. The summit is being organized as part of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council.
REPORT — The US State Department 2018 report on human rights around the world singles out Romania as having endemic corruption and excessively lengthy court trials as the top issues for Romania last year. The report published on Wednesday states that corruption is still widespread, in spite of numerous criminal prosecutions, and in spite of many reports of such practices in governance. At the same time, corruption was widespread in public acquisitions, as well as widespread bribery in the public sector, especially in healthcare, the document reveals.
REPORT — The US State Department 2018 report on human rights around the world singles out Romania as having endemic corruption and excessively lengthy court trials as the top issues for Romania last year. The report published on Wednesday states that corruption is still widespread, in spite of numerous criminal prosecutions, and in spite of many reports of such practices in governance. At the same time, corruption was widespread in public acquisitions, as well as widespread bribery in the public sector, especially in healthcare, the document reveals.
RADIATION – The Romanian authorities have signaled an accident in Transdnestr that may cause radiation leak damage, saying that measurements made in Romania indicate that they pose no danger. They said that they were not informed by the Republic of Moldova of the incident at a metal factory, but that they are monitoring the situation on the border. Public health authorities in Chisinau said there was no risk of irradiation. The factory is 200 km away from the Romanian border.
RATIFICATION — Romanias Senate passed the decisive vote to adopt the protocol by which the Republic of North Macedonia joins NATO. The event was attended by the Speaker of Parliament of that country. Romania is the seventh country of the 29 members of the alliance to ratify the former Yugoslav countrys joining NATO after settling its differences with Greece, an older member.
INAUGURATION – Romanian Deputy PM Ana Birchall on Wednesday took part in the opening in Romania of the Technology and Innovation Hub of the Indian company Infosys. Attending the ceremony were also Senate Speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu, the Indian Ambassador to Romania, Thanglura Darlon, representatives of the Infosys company and of the business circles. On this occasion, Ana Birchall reiterated the support of the Romanian Government and of PM Viorica Dancila for the development and consolidation of the Extended Partnership between Romania and India.
