Romanian President Klaus Iohannis expected to attend a EU emergency summit
As the growing refugee crisis in Europe is threatening the EU security and stability, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will attend an informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Wednesday. The summit at the request of German Chancellor Angela Merkel comes after a special meeting of the EU home and internal affairs ministers on Tuesday when compulsory quotas of refugees were decided. Along with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, Romania voted against the decision. „We regret, and I personally regret the lack of consensus as it should have been a consensus-based decision. I do not believe that such compulsory quotas through majority vote will address the problem. Therefore, the European Commission put into question the very principles governing the EU. However, Romania can manage the number of refugees the European Union aims to send its way. Actually, the number is not large, it is manageable, and I think Romania must show solidarity”, President Iohannis told reporters before flying to Brussels.
Censure motion against Romania’s government
A censure motion against the Romanian government was presented at a joint session in parliament on Wedesday. The petition is signed by 180 MPs with MPs of the opposition National Liberal Party (PNL) calling on the government to resign at a time when the country’s prime minister is under investigation for corruption-related crimes. Victor Ponta is indicted on charges including money laundring, conflict of interests, being an accesory to tax evasion and making false statements. He denies any wrongdoing. The Liberals believe that Mr. Ponta’s indictment is a shame for the country, and the PM should resign.
Romania expected to grant the Republic of Moldova a loan
Romania will grant its neighbouring Republic of Moldova a five-year 150 ml. loan with a preferential interest of 1.5 percent helping the country to restore its ailing energy transport infrastructure. Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta made the announcement at a joint government meeting in the Romanian Black Sea resort of Neptun on Tuesday. “I think it is the duty and within the power of Romania to make this offer at a difficult time,” Mr. Ponta said while poniting out that the country’s Economy Minister Mihai Tudose would ask the Romanian Transelectrica and Transgaz companies to help Moldova in its privatising and development efforts. Romania is also expected to grant Moldova a non-reimbursable aid. Both proposals need to be approved by Romania’s parliament.
The „Violin Duel” at its 5th edition
The fifth edition of the international „Violin Duel” tour opened in the Romanian southern town of Piteşti on Tuesday. Violinists Liviu Prunaru and Gabriel Croitoru along with pianist Haria Mihail started a tour expected to include 11 towns and cities in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The Tuesday performance included some of most famous works of Paganini, Tchaikovsky and Chopin. The „Violin Duel” is a Radio Romania project organised by the Media Cultural Center in the capital Bucharest.
Alexandru Danga
