April 8, 2023 UPDATE
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 08.04.2023, 19:39
MEETING — Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Saturday met with his French counterpart, Catherine Colonna, during a technical stopover in Romania of the plane taking French President Emmanuel Macron back home from his visit to China. According to a release by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, Minister Colonna presented Bogdan Aurescu the results of the talks in Beijing, with an emphasis on China’s stand as regards Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The two officials also talked about the security situation generated by the Russian aggression and the preparation of the allied summit in Vilnius, due in July 2023. Also discussed were the joint measures taken by the two countries to support the Republic of Moldova, the second most affected country by Russia’s aggression, after Ukraine. Aurescu pleaded, among others, for the enhancement from battalion size to brigade size of the NATO battlegroup deployed to Romania, under French command. Moreover, he hailed France’s active support for Romania’s Schengen accession.
TENSIONS – Romania firmly condemns the terror attack in Tel Aviv which killed several people and left others injured, the Romanian Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday. “Such things must not happen in our world and we strongly call for the de-escalation of all tensions” the Foreign Ministry said in a post on a social network. Israel announced on Friday night that reservists would be called up, after several people were killed in two attacks on Friday evening, in the context of a new escalation of tensions, France Presse reports.
BOOK FAIR — The Gaudeamus Radio Romania Book Fair continues in Cluj-Napoca, north-west. On Saturday most events focused on books for children. Arco Iris Publishers presented their collection for children, while Scoala Ardeleana Publishers invited the public to a meeting with the President of the Romanian Academy, Ioan-Aurel Pop. The book “Iuliu Maniu — the Sphinx from Badacin” written by Marin Pop was launched by Scoala Ardeleana Publishers, which also released the book “Iuliu Maniu seen by Romanians in the US”. The day ended with a poetry recital. The fair opened on April 5th and will end on April 9th.
PALM SUNDAY — Orthodox and Greek Catholic believers all over the world, Romania included, celebrate Palm Sunday on April 9th, the day which commemorates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, before being crucified. Palm Sunday marks the first day of the Holy Week. Orthodox and Greek Catholic believers will celebrate Easter on April 16 and the Roman Catholic Christians on April 9. President Klaus Iohannis on Saturday wished good health and prosperity to all those who celebrate Easter and sent his best thoughts to Christians celebrating Palm Sunday.
ROMA DAY — We have the responsibility to build a society in which all citizens are accepted and have equal opportunities irrespective of ethnicity or the environment they come from, said President Klaus Iohannis in his message on the International Roma Day and the “Celebration of the Roma Ethnicity in Romania”. Iohannis reiterated, on behalf of the Romanian state, the commitment to combat intolerance, discrimination, racism and xenophobia. (EE)
