February 29, 2024 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 29.02.2024, 20:00
TRANSNISTIA – Senate Speaker Nicolae Ciucă on Thursday met with Oleg Serebrian, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration. “The Transnistrian question needs a peaceful and sustainable solution, in line with international law and with the observance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, without hindering its European track”, Nicolae Ciucă later wrote on Facebook. The Romanian official congratulated the Moldovan administration “for its responsible and balanced approach to this complex issue, particularly at a time ridden with regional challenges”. The so-called Congress of Deputies in Tiraspol passed a resolution calling on the Russian State Duma to take action with a view to protecting separatist Transnistria, in the context of what signatories have described as growing pressure from the Republic of Moldova. The Russian Foreign Minister says the protection of inhabitants of Transnistria is key to Moscow. The United States firmly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders, the US Department of State spokesman, Matthew Miller said in response.
ELECTIONS – The first round of the presidential election in Romania will take place on September 15, and the second, if necessary, on September 29. The leaders of the governing coalition (PSD and PNL) also decided that the European Parliament elections will take place concurrently with the local election, on June 9, whereas parliamentary elections will be held on December 8. Initially, the Social-Democrats and the Liberals wanted to organize the European Parliament election during two days for the Romanians abroad, but they gave up this option. Such a measure would have violated the constitutional right of Romanians at home, who would have had only one day to vote.
JOBS – 1,200 young and adult Ukrainian refugees, asylum seekers in neighboring Romania, as well as Romanians from vulnerable categories will be helped to find a job, to be independent from an economic and social point of view. The “World Vision Romania” foundation is launching a project through which people will be advised, will learn the Romanian language, receive support for recognizing their diplomas, benefit from grants to support entrepreneurial initiatives and support vouchers to stimulate integration on the labor market. Almost 160,000 Ukrainians filed for forms of legal protection from the Romanian state, with some 80,000 Ukrainians currently registered as residing in the country at the start of the month. Half of them say that they want to get a job or start a business in Romania.
DUST – A large plume of Saharan dust will transit Romania’s territory, which is expected to lead to an increase in the volume of suspended particles and by extension atmospheric pollution, the Romanian Environment Ministry announced. According to the national grid monitoring air quality, the largest concentrations of dust will be reported in the west and southwest, where suspended particles will be associated with rainfall. Traces of this reddish dust can be observed on vehicles and other outdoor objects.
FENCING – Romania’s men’s sabre team on Thursday won gold at the U20 European Championships hosted by Naples, Italy. In the finals Romania defeated France 45-36. Made up of Casian Cîdu, Vlad Covaliu, Mihnea Enache and Radu Niţu, Romania trounced the Netherlands in the round of 16, ousted Germany in the quarterfinals and defeated Spain in the semifinal. Amalia Covaliu won bronze in the women’s sabre event. In the women’s epee team finals, Romania ranked 8. (LS & VP)
