February 18, 2023

TIMIŞOARA The city of Timişoara in western Romania is officially, as of Friday, a European Capital of Culture for a year. Over 15,000 people are expected to attend the opening weekend events. On Friday, the first day of the weekend, tens of thousands of people enjoyed the over 120 events prepared by the organisers as a journey into the city's multi-cultural tradition, its open, brave and innovating spirit. Performances, concerts, exhibitions, roundtables, tourist tours were organised, as well as a gala show attended by hundreds of guests, including scores of ambassadors and Romanian and foreign officials. The European Commissioner Adina Vălean awarded the Melina Mercouri prize to the city of Timişoara, for meeting the commitments in its cultural programme. She also emphasised that the cities having received the European Capital of Culture title have seen significant long-term benefits in terms of urban regeneration, of improving their public image and capitalising on their potential for innovation.

SECURITY The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu, attending the Munich Security Conference, highlighted the serious security threats at the Black Sea entailed by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the pressure on neighbouring countries, particularly the Republic of Moldova, by various means, including hybrid threats. Aurescu was a special guest on Friday at an event devoted to multi-dimensional security challenges at the Black Sea and on NATO's eastern flank, organised on the sidelines of the conference. The Romanian official pointed out that Russia's war against Ukraine is a war against the values of the democratic Western community and against the core parameters of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture, as well as an attempt at recreating the Russian sphere of influence. Efficiently deterring Russia relies on strong defence, the Romanian foreign minister also said, and added that the trans-Atlantic partnership must be consolidated and the US Strategy on security at the Black Sea must be finalised. Bogdan Aurescu also emphasised the importance of carrying on support for Ukraine, and suggested stepping up European and NATO support for Moldova and Georgia.

MOLDOVA The president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, had a meeting with the US State Secretary Antony Blinken at the Munich Security Conference,  Chişinău announced. According to Reuters, the latter said the US was deeply concerned with some of Russia's plans to destabilise the government of Moldova.  Maia Sandu had previously accused Russia of planning to change the legitimate power in Chişinău, using men trained in Belarus, Serbia and Montenegro, who are apparently instructed to conduct violent actions under the guise of protests. President Sandu also attended a roundtable focusing on the experience of various countries and international organisations in fighting corruption, and she spoke about Moldova's commitment to fight corruption and to punish all those who embezzled public money.

TURKEY Three survivors were found under the rubble on Saturday, 13 days after the devastating earthquake in Turkey, which killed more than 45,000 people in that country and in Syria, France Presse reports, quoting Turkish media. One of the 3 people rescued in southern Turkey is a child. Nearly 264,000 flats in Turkey were destroyed and many people are still missing after the most severe disaster in the country's modern history. Romania has sent rescue teams to Turkey and humanitarian aid to Syria.

RUGBY Romania's rugby team Sunday plays against Portugal, away from home, in the last match in Group B of Rugby Europe Championship 2023 (REC). Both teams have 2 wins and are already qualified into the competition's semi-finals. Romania played in Group B, alongside Portugal, Belgium and Poland, while Group A included Georgia, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany.  (AMP)