January 7, 2014
A roundup of domestic and international news.
România Internațional, 07.01.2014, 12:03
Romanian President Traian Basescu has on Tuesday said that the statements made by Prime Minister Victor Ponta as regards the Romanian justice system are staining the country’s image abroad. Basescu’s reaction follows statements made by PM Ponta according to whom Nastase’s corruption case was politically orchestrated and that he is a victim of the Basescu regime. On Monday, Nastase was sentenced to 4 years in prison for bribe taking and blackmail. Nastase had been released on parole after serving nine months of his prison sentence in another corruption case.
The European Commission has not received any sign yet from member states, Britain and Germany in particular, of a so-called invasion of Romanians who have the right to employment anywhere in the EU starting January the 1st. The EC says that any problems that might emerge can be dealt with by using tools made available by the Commission, such as the European Social Fund, worth 10 billion euros. Member states must use at least 20% of the money allotted to them for social inclusion.
The Orthodox and Greek Catholic believers in Romania are today celebrating St John the Baptiser, who baptised Jesus Christ in River Jordan and presented Him to the crowds as the long awaited Saviour. St John’s day and the Epiphany, celebrated on Monday, mark the end of the winter holidays and of the celebrations related to the birth of Jesus. Also today, the old Orthodox faithful are celebrating Christmas. Among them are over 1 million Ukrainian, Armenian and Serb ethnics in Romania.
The Turkish government has dismissed 350 police officers in Ankara, following a corruption case involving people close to the Government, the BBC announced. Claiming that it is the target of a conspiracy, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogans government has dismissed hundreds of police chiefs and officers since police launched raids targeting close Erdogan allies on Dec. 17.
