July 12, 2019 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 12.07.2019, 19:47

ROMANIA -
FRANCE RELATIONS – Romania is a key partner of France in the
region, French Ambassador to Bucharest Michele Ramis said on Friday at the
reception celebrating the National Day of France. Michele Ramis congratulated
Romanian authorities for their successful presidency of the Council of the EU.
The French official recalled that in 2019 bilateral relations were marked by
the Romania – France culture season, which comes to an end on Sunday. The series
of events were a success, especially with the young generations, with over 800
events held in 160 cities across France and Romania, Ambassador Ramis went on
to say. Michele Ramis also referred to the over 2,300 French businesses
operating in Romania, which make up for some 120,000 jobs. The National Day of
France was also celebrated in Iasi, Brasov, Cluj and Timisoara.

PRESIDENCY – The Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest on Friday
hosted a gala concert, marking the end of the Romanian Presidency of the
Council of the EU. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila presented the main results of
Romania’s term in office. Romania fought for a Europe for all, one that
promotes unity in diversity and where hatred and discrimination have no place,
Prime Minister Dancila said. Romania’s record at the helm of the Council of the
EU includes the completion of 90 legislative files and the adoption of 84
conclusions of the Council, on topics of common interest. Some 2,500 events and
meetings have been organized, of which 300 in Romania. The Romanian official
pointed out the Romanian presidency achieved its set goals and was appreciated
by all European partners.

EU – Former
Social-Democrat MEP Ioan Mircea Pascu, proposed by the Government for the
position of interim Commissioner for Regional Policy, was designated a member
of the Commission, although he will not be holding any portfolio. The same will
go for Estonia’s candidate, Kadri Simson. The decision was taken by European
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, considering the short duration of the
two candidates’ term in office. On October 31, the new European Commission is
expected to take office. Under the regulation, Juncker interviewed the two
candidates on Thursday and assessed their skills. Ioan Mircea Pascu and Kadri
Simson will also appear on Wednesday before the European Parliament committee
chairmen, while Parliament will vote on their appointment on Thursday in
Strasbourg. Aged 70, Ioan Mircea Pascu is due to take over the regional policy
portfolio from Corina Cretu, who has won an MEP seat in the new Parliament on
behalf of the Pro Romania Party. Ioan Mircea Pascu has been an MEP since 2007,
the year of Romania’s EU accession.

ENVIRONMENT – Losing
biodiversity is one of the global issues facing all societies today, said the
Romanian Minister of the Environment, the Deputy Prime Minister Gratiela
Gavrilescu, at the first informal meeting of environment ministers organized
under the Finish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Gratiela Gavrilescu has
recalled that during the Romanian Presidency, which ended on June 30th this
year, biodiversity was a priority, and efforts were made to push forward
negotiations on the LIFE Programme post 2020, as well as to find common points
in the preparation for the post – 2020 Global Framework. The EU’s long-term
strategy with regard to climate change was a major objective for Bucharest, the
Romanian minister has stated, adding that the EU must keep acting, both
internally and externally, and support actions in the field by means of a large
number of cooperation instruments, including financial.

GOLDEN STAG – 12 artists from ten countries will compete
for the Grand Trophy of the Golden Stag Music Festival in Brasov, central
Romania, which starts on August 22nd. The finalists are Tamara of Georgia,
Ralfs Eilands of Latvia, Veronica Liberati of Italy, Florin Raduta of Romania,
Anna Odobescu of the Republic of Moldova, Alfie Arcuri of Australia, Renate of
Romania, Cynthia Verazie of Cyprus, Eliza G of Italy, Syuzanna Melqonyan of
Armenia, Monika Marija of Lithuania and Sara de Blue of Austria. Carrying on a
50 year long tradition, besides their own pieces, the competitors will also
perform a song in Romanian. The first edition of the festival was held in 1968.
In time, it became the largest international music festival organized in
Romania and has enjoyed performances by famous artists such as Diana Ross, Amalia Rodrigues, Julio Iglesias, Dalida, Sheryl Crow, Tom
Jones, Juliette Greco, Vaya con Dios, Coolio, Christina Aguilera, Cliff
Richard, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Martin, Kelly Family, Patricia Kaas, Gilbert
Becaud, Josephine Baker, Toto Cutugno, Enrico Macias, Boy George, James Brown,
Ray Charles, UB 40, Scorpions or Pink.

TENNIS – Romanian
tennis player Simona Halep, no.7 in the WTA rankings, and the American Serena
Williams, no. 10 WTA, on Saturday are playing the final of the Wimbledon
tournament, the third Grand Slam of the year. On Thursday, in the semifinals,
Halep defeated the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (8WTA) 6-1, 6-3, and Williams beat
the Czech Barbora Strycova (54 WTA), 6-1, 6-2. This is the first time that
Halep has qualified to the Wimbledon final, and the fifth grand slam final on
her record sheet. She is the second Romanian to play the Wimbledon final, after
Ilie Nastase, in the men’s singles, who lost the finals back in 1972 and 1976.

(Translated by M.
Ignatescu & V. Palcu)