February 4, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 04.02.2024, 18:57

EU.
The sanctions against Russia are working, despite the difficulties, Romania’s
foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu told Agerpres news agency. She attended an
informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels where talks focused, among
others, on the 13th package of sanctions against Russia and a
possible clearer roadmap for EU accession for Ukraine and the Republic of
Moldova. Referring to the military support for Ukraine, Odobescu said comprise
proposals were on the table and that she hoped an agreement would soon be
reached on this subject. The meeting in Brussels also tackled the Union’s
relationship with Turkey. Odobescu said Turkey is an indispensable partner for
the European Union and a NATO ally who plays an important role in ensuring
Black Sea security, while also being a key partner in managing a number of
global challenges. In another move, the Romanian official said the needs of the
Palestinian civilians would continue to be a priority for Romania, in the
context of an investigation concerning UNWRA, the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Until
this investigation is over, the foreign ministry will not launch new procedures
for voluntary contributions.

Strike.
A general strike announced for Monday by town hall employees in Romania was
postponed for two weeks. According to the Solidarity of Towns and Villages
trade union, the decision was taken following consultations with its members,
85% of whom were in favour of giving the government more time to solve their
demands. Town hall employees want bigger salaries to match those in the public
administration, saying they have received no pay rises in recent years.
Employees from 800 town halls stopped work for two hours on 31st
January, as part of a warning strike.

Cancer.
Pollution is responsible for 43% of all lung cancer deaths, according to a
recent study, while the number of deaths caused by air pollution has surpassed
in recent years that caused by indoor air pollution, in particular smoking. The
manager of the Marius Nasta Institute in Bucharest, Beatrice Mahler, explained
on World Cancer Day on Sunday that airborne particles cause inflammation in the
lungs activating cell mutation and triggering cancer. These cells begin to grow
uncontrollably and form tumours. Studies have indicated high rates of lung
cancer in persons living in areas with high pollution levels caused by airborne
particles. According to the health ministry in Bucharest, almost 52,000 people
died of cancer in Romania in 2022.

Education.
The counties of Vaslui and Botoşani, in the north-east, Teleorman, in the
south, and Călăraşi, in the south-east, have the lowest level of education in
Romania according to figures published by the National Institute for
Statistics. Fewer than 10% of the residents of these counties have a university
degree. The business community has warned in recent years about the low level
of schooling among the active population, both with respect to university
degrees and vocational training. Bucharest has the highest level of university
graduates, 35%, followed by the nearby Ilfov county, with over 25%, and Cluj
county, in the north-west, with almost 25%.

Protests.
A committee formed by representatives of various ministries and professional
associations will be set up and begin work on Monday, its aim being to assess
and find solutions to the problems faced by road carriers and farmers. Since 10th
January, the latter have taken to the streets several times, unhappy with the
high road taxes and the cost of fuel.

Handball.
The Romanian women’s handball side Rapid Bucharest on Sunday lost to the
Hungarian side Ferencvaros 20-23 in a Champions League Group B match and will
retain their last but one position in the group. In the same competition but in
Group A, CSM Bucharest defeated the Hungarian side Gyor 26-24 on Saturday. Gyor
top the group, while CSM are in third place.