A roundup of local and international news.
Croatia visit. The Romanian prime minister Sorin Grindeanu travels to Zagreb on Monday for talks with Croatia's president Kolinda Grabar, prime minister Andrej Plenkovic and Parliament speaker Gordan Jandrokovic. According to a government press release, talks are expected to tackle bilateral and European issues, including the future of the European Union, with both Romania and Croatia supporting the need for the bloc's cohesion and solidarity. The two countries also plan to work together to join the Schengen area. An agreement will be signed during prime minister Grindeanu's visit on the mutual protection of classified information, as well as a memorandum of understanding on the cooperation between the two countries' Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
EU visas. Beginning on the 11th of June, Ukrainian citizens will be able to travel to the European Union, including Romania, without visas, if their stay does not exceed 90 days. The agreement covers all EU countries with the exception of UK and Ireland. The Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko has described the measure as a huge step towards Europe and as proof of the efficiency of Ukraine's reforms. The General Inspectorate of the Romanian Border Police said Ukrainian citizens are allowed to enter the country if they produce documents justifying the purpose of the visit, the conditions of their stay and proof that they have the financial means to support their stay and return to their country of origin or to another transit state that allows them entry. The provisions of an agreement between the Romanian and Ukrainian governments on small-scale border traffic also remain in place.
Natural gas. The National Forecast Commission estimates that Romania's natural gas production will grow constantly in the next three years to reach the equivalent in oil of 9 million tonnes in 2020, while imports will drop. Following the over 15% reduction last year, Romania's natural gas production will grow this year to the equivalent in oil of 7.8 million tonnes. This year, Romania will import the equivalent of 1 million tonnes of natural gas, down 15.6% compared with 2016, with imports expected to drop by 30% in 2018. Romania's energy resources will reach the equivalent in oil of 41.64 tonnes in 2017 and 44.01 millions tonnes in 2020.
Football. The Romanian media demand the resignation of the leadership of the Romanian Football Federation and of the manager of the national side Cristoph Daum following Romania's 3-1 defeat on Saturday by Poland in a Group E match as part of the World Cup qualifiers. "He is not the first wrong manager for the wrong team, but he clings to his post and this makes his insufferable", the publication Prosport writes about Daum, who last autumn became Romania's first foreign manager. Gazeta Sporturilor also believes Daum's attitude shows confusion and powerlessness. The paper quotes former Romanian international players who blame the Federation for the team's poor performance. Romania only scored one goal in their last five matches and have only theoretical chances to qualify for next year's World Cup. The group's absolute leaders are Poland, with 16 points, followed by Montenegro and Denmark, each with 10 points, Romania and Armenia, each with 6 points, and Kazakhstan with 2 points. Romania will next face Armenia at home on 1st of September.
Book fair. Romania takes part in the International Book Fair in Jerusalem, which opened on Sunday. The fair has been held every two years since 1963 and attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across the world. According to Radio Romania's correspondent in Israel, the climax of the fair is the awarding of the Jerusalem Prize, one of the most prestigious international distinctions. Famous recipients of the award include the playwright of Romanian origin Eugen Ionescu.
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