April 4, 2014 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news.
România Internațional, 04.04.2014, 13:42
Romanian President Traian Basescu who attended on Friday, in Brussels, a summit on the social inclusion of the Rroma minority, said this issue needs to be tackled in a European context, with the contribution of all member states. Basescu deplored the fact that in Romania a large part of the Roma already integrated no longer identify themselves with this ethnic group. He added that over 50% of the employed Roma have a low education level, while educated members of the group have problems finding jobs that reflect their training. According to the latest population census, around 620 thousand Roma live in Romania, accounting for 3.3% of the total population. Amnesty International asked, at the summit in Brussels, for concrete measures to be taken to combat the systematic discrimination of the Rroma ethnics and presented evidence regarding the abuse of authorities, the ones in the EU included, over this community. Amnesty International asked for the abuse against the Rroma to be punished.
Tens of thousands of people from 20 countries took to the streets of Brussels on Friday, in protest at the economic policies of European governments. The rally was staged by the European trade unions. Protesters called on decision makers to give up austerity measures and focus on investment and on creating jobs. According to the Radio Romania correspondent in Brussels, the anti-austerity demonstration turned violent close to the Commission and other EU institutions. Protesters wearing orange jackets hurled projectiles at riot police who responded with water canons. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), who staged Friday’s protests, is campaigning for investment to kick-start the economy in EU states, to create sustainable growth and between nine and 11 million jobs over the next decade.
The Romanian diplomacy chief, Titus Corlăţean, is taking part in an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers held in Athens. For two days, participants will discuss topical issues, with an emphasis on the latest developments in Ukraine and Syria, as well on the Union’s relations with strategic partners. Gymnich meetings are organised on a semestrial basis, by the country holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council, and are designed to facilitate the exchange of opinions on topics on the European foreign policy agenda.
Romania takes part with over 20 inventions in the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, the largest specialised event in the world. Romanian inventors will present, among others, a dynamic air transfer device, and a device for airing surface water. Inventors from more than 40 countries are taking part in the 42 International Exhibition in Geneva. Last year, Romania won the grand prize, with an aircraft scanning device.
Michael Schumacher is showing “moments of consciousness and awakening” and he is “making progress”, the Formula 1 legends agent, Sabine Kehn, has announced. Schumacher has been in a medically induced coma since a skiing accident in the French Alps resort of Meribel on December 29th.
