Appointments for ambassador positions in key-states approved today by President Iohannis
President Klaus Iohannis has approved several recalling proposals and appointments for ambassador positions in key states for Romania’s interests today. Former Intelligence chief George Maior was nominated Ambassador to the United States, whilst former FM Adrian Cioroianu is proposed Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. Other appointments regard Emil Hurezeanu to Germany, Mihnea Motoc to the UK, Bogdan Mazuru to Austria. Luminiţa Odobescu is also nominated as Permanent Representative of Romania to the European Union. The appointment decrees are to be issued after acceptance from the above-mentioned states and organizations and after mandatory hearings in the Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta starts Gulf tour with visit to Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Victor Ponta has started his Gulf tour with an official visit to Saudi Arabia. The chief the Romanian Cabinet was welcomed last night on Riyadh International Airport by Saudi high officials. This is the first visit of a Romanian Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established 20 years ago.
The Romanian PM has met today with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Saudi Crown Prince, but also with economic decision factors. The Saudis showed interest to invest in domains like healthcare, agriculture, defense industry and real estate, according to a press statement made by Victor Ponta at the end of the talks.
Poland and Romania are pleading Ukraine’s case for a visa-free regime with the EU
Poland and Romania have proposed visa elimination for Ukrainian citizens travelling to European Union countries, according to RBK news agency in Ukraine. A statement in this regard was made on Wednesday by the Polish FM Grzegorz Schetyna and his Romanian counterpart Bogdan Aurescu after a meeting in Warsaw. The European Commission is going to present an assessment report on May 13th regarding implementation of relevant measures by Ukraine for a visa-free regime with the EU.
Four Romanian soldiers wounded in Afghanistan
Four Romanian soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan today while on a patrol mission. The incident took place 8 kilometers away from Kandahar Air Base whose guard and security is ensured by a Romanian squad. Defense Minister Mirca Duşa has stated that their condition is now stable.
Mircea Duşa: The four have suffered light wounds and they have been taken to a military hospital, their condition is stable. Depending on the medical examination we are to decide whether or not we will repatriate them or they are going to continue their mission.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta declared earlier this evening that two of the wounded have been released from hospital, the other two however remain under observation.
The troop carrier on which they were patrolling was hit by an explosion of a car bomb. The soldiers have been given first-aid measures on the ground and transported to the hospital in Kandahar. Should their condition get worse, they are going to be transferred to a military hospital in Germany. Romania still has 650 military deployed in Afghanistan , most of them guarding the Kandahar air base.
International conference on CE’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu has attended an international conference in Cluj today, marking 20 years since Romania signed and ratified Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The conference aimed to stress out the significant role of this unique international-law instrument in promoting cultural diversity, interculturalilty, good cohabitation and social tolerance. The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is Council of Europe’s 126th legal instrument adopted in Strasbourg on February 1st 1995. 39 states are part of this Convention.
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