April 18, 2019
Romanian PM proposes major cabinet reshuffle; US and Germany appreciate Romania's role in NATO
Corina Cristea, 18.04.2019, 13:58
CABINET — Romanian PM Viorica Dancila sent to the presidency the proposals for replacements for the positions of Minister of Justice, Minister of European Funds, and Minister of Romanians Abroad. She proposed Eugen Nicolicea for the position of justice minister, Oana Florea for European funding, and Liviu Brailoiu for minister in charge of the diaspora. The Social Democratic Party Executive Committee, in charge of the ruling coalition, decided to withdraw political support from Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, after the latter refused to agree to controversial proposed changes to the criminal code. Two of the ministers that may be replaced are running for the European Parliament in the upcoming elections.
BUCHAREST – The US and Germany appreciate Romanias role and activity as a NATO ally. This message was sent by the embassies of the two states, which took part in Bucharest in a conference dedicated to East European strategy and Romanian defense strategy. The meeting was organized by the Defense Committee in the lower chamber of Parliament, together with the George Marshall Central European Security Studies. Representing the US embassy in Bucharest, Abigail Rupp said that Romanias decision to allocate 2% of GDP to defense was important for NATOs eastern border security, and for the alliance overall. In turn, German Ambassador Kai Hennig said that maintaining a network of defense professionals is a crucial part of the George Marshall center, which right now has 13,000 such experts.
FLU — The flu is no longer an epidemic in Romania, according to the National Center for Supervision and Control of Transmittable Diseases with the National Public Health Institute. The center said that in the week between April 8 and 14, the flu receded, with less frequency in the central area of the country, and spread out cases in the rest of the country. The total number of acute respiratory infections, such as flu and pneumonia, was 6.3% less than last week. 2,269 cases of flu have been confirmed since the beginning of the year, with 196 deadly cases.
NOTRE DAME — French PM Edouard Philippe announce the launch of an international competition to restore the spire destroyed in the fire that severely damaged Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. He said that the competition was not meant to reproduce the original design. French President Emmanuel Macron promised on Tuesday that the cathedral would be restored within five years. The fire caused consternation around the world, and as a result around a billion Euros were pledged from across the globe for the reconstruction, according to AFP. Romanian politicians and high clerics sent messages of solidarity with the French people.
BUCHAREST — The 2019 Romania- France Season opens in Bucharest with several exhibitions and the 5th edition of the Spotlight International Festival of Light. The National History Museum inaugurates the Dessine-moi la Guerre exhibition., while the Eli Lotar 1905- 1969 exhibition opens at the Art Collection Museum. The National Art Museum hosts a special exhibition for contemporary art, launched in the presence of President Klaus Iohannis, French Ambassador Michele Ramis, and Culture Minister Valer-Daniel Breaz, along with his French counterpart Franck Riester.
