Romanian President Iohannis expected to meet US Vice-President Joe Biden
While on official visit to the US, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is expected to meet US Vice-President John Biden in Wshington D.C. on Monday. During his first visit to the White House in the US capital, President Iohannis is expected to hold talks with Vice-President Biden focused on issues concerning the stategic partnership between the two countries. The strategic partnership is a key target of Romania’s foreign policy, President Iohannis said while meeting delegates of the Romanian community in New York on Sunday. President Iohannis is also expected to atted a dinner offered by US President Barack Obama in New York later on Monday one day before a summit of leaders of the international coalition fighting Daesh (the so-called Islamic State – IS) in Syria and Irak following an invitation by President Obama. The summit on countering violent extremism on September 29 comes one year after President Obama vowed to crush Daesh.
Appeal postponed in Romania’s „Referendum Case”
An appeal in Romania’s so-called „Referendum Case” was postponed for two months as some of the 70 defendants involved in the case still didn’t succeed in getting a lawyer. The appeal is expected to be heard on November 23. Liviu Dragnea, current acting secretary general of the governing Social Democratic Party (PSD), received a suspended 1 year prison term for his involvement in a corruption-related case. Along with other 70 defendants, Mr. Dragnea is accused of fraud during a referendum in 2012 for the dismissal of former President Traian Băsescu, and he is also one of the few defendants who requested a new appearence before the court. „I want to explain my opinion before court. I believe it is a sign of respect for justice. Maybe I am wrong, but I believe that I should express my opinion about the accusations launched by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA)”, Mr.Dragnea told reporters on Monday.
Romania as safe and sound as any other EU developed economy, PM Victor Ponta says
According to latest Standard&Poors ratings, Romania is as safe and economically stable as any other developed economy in the EU, according to a Facebook message posted by Romania’s Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Sunday. The IMF confirmed that Romania could exceed Portugal, the Czech Republic and Greece as an economic power in the next three years, Mr. Ponta wrote. Standard & Poor’s credit rating for Romania stands currently at BBB-. A bond is considered investment grade or IG if its credit rating is BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor’s or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s.
The Jewish feast of the Sukkot in Romania
The Romanian Jews celebrate the Sukkot starting on Monday. Known around the world as the Feast of Booths or the Feast of Tabernacles, the Sukkot is a biblical Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (varies from late September to late October). Sukkot has a double significance. The one mentioned in the Book of Exodus is of agricultural nature. But a more elaborate religious significance from the Book of Leviticus is that of commemorating the Exodus and the dependence of the People of Israel on the will of God. The holiday lasts seven days in Israel and eight in the diaspora.
Alexandru Danga
