A roundup of domestic and international news
EU - Thursday saw the official launch of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 12 years since Romania joined the EU, our country takes on a major role at EU level, namely to contribute to consolidating a more cohesive, stronger and more powerful Europe, President Klaus Iohannis said in his opening address. Romania will carry out its presidency with dignity, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said in turn, adding that she wants a more united, robust and solidary Europe at the end of Romania's term in office. In turn, President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, underlined that Romania will act in the spirit of the proverb "Man consecrates the land". Whether its policy will be a good example to follow or a severe warning depends entirely on Romania, President Tusk said. The EU official called on Romanians to defend the underlying principles of political civilization, liberty, integrity, defending truth in public life, the rule of law and the Constitution. Romania is taking over the presidency of the Council of the European Union at a crucial moment, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said. He added that the EU wouldn't be complete without Romania, and that Romania belongs in the Schengen Area. I'm counting on the energy and unity of the whole Romanian nation to be able to decide what to do and what we can do in the coming months, Juncker concluded. The launch was marked by a concert at the Romanian Athenaeum given by the EU orchestra. The program included the Romanian Rhapsody I by George Enescu and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 'Ode to Joy' which became the Anthem of the EU in 1985. On the other hand, several hundred people gathered in front of the Athenaeum for an anti-government rally under the slogan We want Europe, not dictatorship!, staged by several civic organizations. Protesters chanted pro-European and anti-Government slogans. On Friday, Jean-Claude Juncker will meet with President Klaus Iohannis and with the PM Viorica Dancila as well as with the speakers of Parliament's two chambers. The European officials will also have talks with the Romanian ministers who, for 6 months, will chair both in Bucharest and Brussels, working meetings with their counterparts from the EU member states.
Visit - The Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu met with his Polish counterpart Jacek Czaputowicz who was on a visit to Bucharest. The two reviewed the stage of accomplishment of the common objectives set at bilateral, regional, European and multilateral level and set the landmarks of the Romanian - Polish cooperation on short and medium term. Talking about Romania's presidency of the Council of the European Union, Teodor Melescanu stated that Bucharest will focus on promoting cohesion as a common European value, on overcoming division among member states and on identifying ways to consolidate the role of the EU. In another development, the Romanian Foreign Minister offered to his Polish counterpart a digital copy of 294 archived files covering the period 1918-1947 to mark a century of diplomatic relations between Romania and Poland.
Protests - Transporters from Romania and other Eastern European states on Thursday protested in front of the European Parliament against the change of legislation in the field, in the context in which the MEPs from the Committee on Transport are voting on the new regulations. Protesters claim that the proposals included in the mobility package were made against the backdrop of surging protectionism of western European states and that the transporters in eastern and southeastern Europe will be affected by the measures. They believe the measures will lead to significantly higher operation costs and restrictions on the international road transportation within the community space. One of the measures forbids the period of weekly rest to happen in the truck cab. Another measure is related to the obligation of drivers to return home at least once every 4 weeks. Measures also refer to the obligation to equip all international transport vehicles with an intelligent tachograph by the end of 2024.
Tennis - Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, WTA no. 1, has been seeded first in the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, where last year she reached the finals. Halep on Tuesday will play Kaia Kanepi of Estonia (70 WTA). On Monday, on the first day of the tournament Irina Begu (76 WTA) will play Andrea Petkovic of Germany (61 WTA), Monica Niculescu (88 WTA) will play Amanda Anisimova of the US (87 WTA) while Sorana Cirstea (84 WTA) will play Rebbeca Peterson (62 WTA). On Tuesday, Mihaela Buzarnescu (25 WTA) will play Venus Williams of the US (37 WTA) while Ana Bogdan (81 WTA) will go up against a player from the qualifying phase.
(Translated by L. Simion & V. Palcu)
Useful Links
Copyright © . All rights reserved