April 18, 2022 UPDATE

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România Internațional, 18.04.2022, 22:23

UKRAINE – Ukraine has completed a questionnaire on its EU accession and expects to acquire the status of a candidate country for EU accession in June, when a meeting of the European Council is to be held. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned in a video message that Russia is preparing a major offensive in eastern Ukraine. On Monday, Ukraine called for Russia to facilitate a humanitarian corridor for evacuees from Mariupol and one from the steel plant that is the citys last significant area of Ukrainian resistance, Reuters reports. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Mariupol ‘no longer exists’ after weeks of Russian bombing, the BBC reports. Also on Monday, Russian missile attacks on Kharkov left at least three people dead, local authorities announced.

TALKS – Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Monday discussed over the phone with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the consequences of Russia’s illegal military aggression against Ukraine and about allied efforts to manage and respond to it. According to a release by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the two officials also discussed about ways to support Ukraine and bilateral cooperation under the Romania-US Strategic Partnership.

ECONOMY – Romanian PM Nicolae Ciuca said Monday that on a crisis situation such as the one Romania is going through, investment is the only solution and the Government’s role is to support it through public policies aimed at ensuring stability and economic development. In an interview on Radio Romania he said the business community must be supported through government policies. PM Ciuca pointed out that international financial institutions have confirmed that the Government’s solutions are the right ones and that, in 2022, Romania’s budget for investment is the largest in 30 years – 18 billion euro. European funds will also be attracted to develop economy and create new jobs.

REFUGEES — Some 87,531 people, of whom 6,750 Ukrainian citizens, entered Romania on Friday. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 737 thousand Ukrainians have entered the country, most of them heading for other countries. Almost 40% of the total number of Ukrainian refugees, who found a job in Romania, work in the processing industry, according to the Labour Ministry. Constructions and the hospitality industry come second and third in this respect. Almost a quarter of the total number of refugees who found jobs in Romania, work for companies in Bucharest. Some 1,891 Ukrainian refugees have found work in Romania starting February 24.

BNR – The National Bank of Romania (BNR) marks 142 years since its establishment by holding the Open Doors Days. Thus, the Old Palace in Bucharest, and the regional branches and agencies are open to the public for two days. The permanent exhibition of the National Bank is open to visitors, as well as two temporary exhibitions, one dedicated to King Michael I and another one to war hero Ecaterina Teodoroiu.

HOLY WEEK – Orthodox and Greek catholic believers in Romania have entered Passion Week, also known as Holy Week. During this week, the last one before Easter, Christians recall the events leading up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and His Resurrection. There days of special significance, starting with Palm Sunday, which commemorates humble entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Good Friday commemorates His suffering and death on the cross. Easter Vigil of Holy Saturday marks the end of Lent, while Easter Sunday celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion.

SUMMIT – The White House announced on Monday that its Global Covid-19 Summit, aimed at bring new funding and coordination for global pandemic responses, will be held May 12. The summit will be co-chaired by the United States, along with current G7 president Germany, G20 president Indonesia, African Union chair Senegal, and Belize, the current chair of the CARICOM Caribbean grouping. This is the second Global Covid-19 Summit after the one led by the U.S. in September 2021. (EE)