February 15, 2023

MOLDOVA President Klaus Iohannis says Romania has stood and will stand by the R. of Moldova and firmly condemns any foreign attempt at destabilising this country. "It is highly alarming to see public signs of attempts by the Russian Federation to step in illegitimately and upset the democratic and constitutional order of the R. of Moldova, a sovereign state that has chosen its political direction through a free vote," the Romanian president said in a statement issued on Wednesday. Klaus Iohannis reiterated that Moldova is not alone in facing these challenges, and reconfirmed Romania's unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country, within its internationally recognised borders, and for its pro-European future. The Romanian official also pointed out that Moldova belongs in the EU family, and that this path is "irreversible and must be followed with determination, courage and ambition." The statement comes after on Monday the pro-Western president of Moldova Maia Sandu announced Moscow was planning to force a change of the political power in Moldova, using violence to destabilise the country.

AID Romania is sending further humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria in the wake of last week's devastating earthquakes that killed some 40,000 people. A new humanitarian flight by 3 Romanian Air Forces aircraft today takes around 22 tonnes of goods donated by the Romanian government to the people affected by the tremors in the 2 countries. Another 2 trains with basic necessity products have been already sent to Turkey, and 2 planes with humanitarian aid were sent to Syria on Tuesday. According to the UN, 9 million Syrian and 2.2 million Turkish nationals need aid. The Turkish Confederation of Enterprises and Businesses says the disaster might cost the country 84 billion US dollars.

UN The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu Tuesday had talks with the UN secretary general António Guterres. The Romanian official was at the UN headquarters in New York, where he was a speaker at the UN Security Council debate on "Threats to international peace and security: Sea-level rise: implications for international peace and security." According to the foreign ministry, the 2 officials discussed climate change and its consequences, as well as the situation in Ukraine one year after the start of Russia's illegal war of aggression. Bogdan Aurescu pointed out that Russia's irresponsible conduct, which violates the core principles of international order, must end, and that it is particularly serious for a member of the UN Security Council to have started this war. The Romanian foreign minister also highlighted Romania's support efforts, including the receiving of over 3.5 million Ukrainian refugees who have transited Romania. Current developments in the R. of Moldova were also discussed.

DEFENCE Romania's defence minister Angel Tîlvăr and the chief of general staff Daniel Petrescu Tuesday took part in a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, held in Brussels on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO defence ministers. According to the Romanian defence ministry, since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Romania has provided shelter and aid to over 3.5 million Ukrainian nationals who have transited the country, and has taken part in facilitating the transit of nearly 12 million tonnes of grains from Ukraine to global markets. Romania has stated repeatedly that the scope and regularity of the support given to Ukraine must be maintained. Also on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO defence ministers, Angel Tîlvăr had bilateral talks with his counterparts from the UK, Ben Wallace, and Spain, Margarita Robles Fernandez. They discussed the security situation in the Black Sea region and emphasised the need for substantial Allied contribution to ensuring the effectiveness and credibility of NATO's defence posture on the eastern flank.

INFLATION The National Bank of Romania has revised its inflation forecast for the end of this year from 11.2% estimated previously to 7%. According to the Quarterly Inflation Report made public today by the central bank governor Mugur Isarescu, at the end of 2024 the indicator will stand at 4.2%. Romania has consolidated its position in the EU in terms of inflation, with the 9th highest rate in the Union. Mugur Isărescu also said a balance must be achieved between fighting inflation and avoiding a possible recession, and added that the inflation forecast is marked by many uncertainties.

FOOTBALL CFR Cluj, the only Romanian team still playing in the European competitions, Thursday takes on the Italian side Lazio Rome, away from home, in the playoffs for the Conference League's eighth-finals. The second leg of this round is scheduled next week in Cluj-Napoca. According to a UEFA poll, the Romanians are most likely to win.  This season CFR Cluj finished the group stage 2nd in a group that also included Sivasspor (Turkey), Slavia Prague (Czech Republic) and Ballkani (Kosovo), while Lazio ended up in the Conference League playoffs after finishing 3rd in its group, after Feyenoord (the Netherlands) and Midtjylland (Denmark). (AMP)