March 20, 2023

VISIT - On a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Romania's president Klaus Iohannis this morning met in Abu Dhabi with his counterpart, Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan. On this occasion, the countries' relevant ministers and officials signed bilateral documents in the fields of energy, cyber-security and education. Yesterday, president Iohannis visited Masdar City, a model of urban sustainable development focusing on energy efficiency and environment protection. President Iohannis attended a presentation of projects in the fields of transport, urban ventilation and cooling, building-generated energy and making optimal use of sunlight in research and education institutions. Successfully tested in Masdar City, these solutions can inspire projects in other cities, including Romania, which have a growing interest for sustainable energy. Romanian researchers affiliated with institutes in Masdar City have also contributed to their development, the Presidency reports.

EXERCISE - Over March 20 - April 2, some 3,400 Romanian and international servicemen are taking part in the Sea Shield 2023 exercise held in the Black Sea, the Danube River, the Danube Delta and coastal areas. Sea Shield 2023 is the largest-scale training exercise planned and carried out by the Romanian Naval Forces this year. Attending will be military units from 12 allied and partner states, accompanied by military watercraft, aircraft and other combat equipment. The exercise will help increase the level of interoperability of participant forces and is part of NATO's multinational training programs.

MEETINGS - Romania's Foreign Minister, Bogdan Aurescu, is today attending the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. According to a Foreign Ministry release, EU Foreign Ministers will discuss Russia's aggression in Ukraine, with this country's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, expected to join talks in videoconference format. Minister Aurescu will discuss the need to maintain support for Ukraine at all levels, both from the EU and Member States individually, with a focus on providing military equipment and training for the Ukrainian army as quickly as possible as part of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). The Romanian official will also express support for consolidating the sanctions regime against Russia, while also streamlining the implementation of existing restrictions, with a focus on continuing diplomatic efforts to further isolate this aggressor state. Minister Aurescu will also address the security developments in the Republic of Moldova and destabilizing actions targeting the pro-European administration in this country. The Romanian Foreign Minister will encourage Member States to continue their support for Chișinău. Also today, Bogdan Aurescu is attending the joint meeting of EU Foreign and Defense Ministers and the International Conference of donors in support of the people of Turkey and Syria, affected by the February 6 earthquake.

MOLDOVA - Romania's Prime Minister, Nicolae Ciucă, will this week travel to the Republic of Moldova to meet his Moldovan counterpart, Dorin Recean. On this occasion, Prime Minister Ciucă will reassert Romania's support for the reform process in this country, the consolidation of the economy, the resilience and security of Romania's neighbor, as well as for advancing Moldova's European track. On the other hand, Moldova's Supreme Security Council is expected today to discuss what president Maia Sandu has called "the exceptional situation of the country's judiciary", after the General Assembly of Magistrates has delayed the appointment of members of the Superior Council of Magistracy. President Sandu argues Moldovan judges want to block efforts to reform the judiciary by setting their next meeting for the end of April. In last week's address to Parliament, the Moldovan president called on the Government and Parliament to create a special court of law to investigate corruption cases in the justice system.

AWARD - The Radio Drama show "The Sixties" written by Ema Stere and adapted and directed by Mihnea Chelaru scooped the Best European Drama award at the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2023 in a gala hosted by the BBC Broadcasting House in London. Starting 2012, the BBC Audio Drama Awards have been celebrating the range, originality and cut-through quality of audio drama on air and online and giving recognition to the creativity of actors, writers, producers, sound designers and others who work in this genre. The Best European Drama was introduced in 2019 to acknowledge the role of other European public service broadcasters in nurturing this distinctive genre.

RUGBY - Romania's national rugby team ranked 3rd in the 2023 edition of Rugby Europe Championship after securing a dramatic 31-25 win against Spain in the bronze final, held away from home. In the big final, Georgia defeated Portugal 38-11. Romania's rugby team will next play friendlies against Georgia and Italy ahead of its participation at the World Cup in France this autumn. Romania has been drawn in Group B alongside Ireland, South Africa, Scotland and Tonga. (VP)