August 20, 2013
For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here.
Ştefan Stoica, 20.08.2013, 12:03
The Romanian foreign minister Titus Corlatean is taking part on Wednesday in an emergency meeting in Brussels, focusing on the situation in Egypt, where the crackdown on pro-Morsi protesters continues, after Mohammed Morsi, the country’s Islamist president, was ousted by the military in July. In Cairo, security forces arrested the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Badie (aged 70), for incitement to violence. Mohammed Morsi, who won the election of 2012 in Egypt, is also a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights announced its intention to send observers to assess the situation in Egypt, where over 900 people were killed in the past week. The USA and other western countries called on the parties to show restraint.
The Liberal Party, currently a member of the ruling Social-Liberal Union, is due to advance a new name to fill up the vacancy at the head of the Transports Ministry, after Liberal MP Ovidiu Silaghi turned down the nomination. Silaghi made the decision public after the National Anticorruption Directorate requested that the Prosecutor General’s Office start criminal proceedings against him. Silaghi is being charged with influence peddling during his mandate as Transports Minister in 2012. Prime Minister Victor Ponta is interim Transports Minister until the end of the week. The position was left vacant in July, when Relu Fenechiu stepped down after receiving a 5 years imprisonment sentence for accessory to abuse of office in a court case that caused damages of 1.7 million euros. Relu Fenechiu is the first Romanian Minister ever to be sentenced while in office since the demise of communism in 1989. The sentence is not final.
The Romanian Ministry of Tourism has granted passport of ambassador for tourism to eight Romanian personalities who will be promoting our country during their travels abroad. These are athletes Gabriela Szabo and Iolanda Balas, rowers Ivan Patzaichin and Elisabeta Lipa, tennis player Ilie Nastase, folk artist and musicologist Grigore Lese, cartoonist Stefan Popa and pan flute player Gheorghe Zamfir. The title of Ambassador for Tourism is aimed at capitalizing on Romania’s assets by means of promoting our country and its human values at international level.
Minister Delegate for Romanians Worldwide Cristian David says the Diaspora Festival” held in Mangalia, southeastern Romania, sets the premises for organising the first Global Congress of Romanians. Minister David insisted on the need to develop long-lasting and sound relations between authorities in Bucharest and Romanians across the world, given that over 3 million Romanian nationals live in the European Union alone. Attending a similar event held last week in Izvorul Muresului, central Romania, representatives of Romanian communities in neighbouring countries said Romanians are feeling discriminated against while their minority rights are being violated.
The Czech deputies Tuesday decided to dissolve the lower chamber of the Parliament, paving the way for early elections this autumn, in order to put an end to the political crisis in this country. One week ago, the government resigned, after a no confidence vote in Parliament. The expert cabinet headed by left-wing economist Jiri Rusnok was appointed by president Milos Zeman in July, to replace the right-of-centre government led by Petr Necas. The election date will be set after Milos Zeman has had consultations with the leaders of the main parties. Under the Constitution, a period of 60 days is allowed for the organisation of snap elections.
Romania’s football champions Steaua Bucuresti will play on Wednesday against the Polish side Legia Varsovia, in the Champions League play-offs. In the Europa League playoffs, three other Romanian teams – Astra Giurgiu, Pandurii Târgu Jiu and Petrolul Ploiesti — will play on Thursday with Maccabi Haifa (from Israel), Sporting Braga (Portugal), and Swansea City (Wales), respectively. Pandurii Târgu Jiu are playing on home turf, while Petrolul and Astra away from home. The second leg is scheduled for next week.
