Romania recognizes Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela
Romania has recognized Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president. The decision was made by president Klaus Iohannis, after a careful examination of the situation and as the legitimacy of the leader of Venezuela’s parliament has been recognized by most European Union member states and many important allies. According to a statement from the Presidential Administration, the head of state has requested since Monday an urgent assessment of the situation in Venezuela and a clear proposal for Romania’s position. On Friday, the president received a document from the Foreign Ministry after it was approved by the Prime Minister, which included the recommendation to recognize the President of the National Assembly as interim leader of Venezuela.
The Romanian Foreign Minister has requested explanations from Russia, after Moscow asked the US to remove the anti-missile shield in Deveselu
The Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu has said that he wants explanations from Russia, after Moscow asked the United States to remove the anti-missile shield from Deveselu, as a condition to return to the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty. The US and Russia have suspended their obligation to respect the treaty, after they accused each other of breaching it. Moscow says that launchers in Romania could also be used for medium range Tomahawk missiles, forbidden under the INF Treaty. Mr. Melescanu has repeated that the Deveselu shield is solely defensive and added that Tomahawk missiles were no longer part of America’s Army equipment, for a year.
Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has met European officials in Brussels
The Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has had two meetings in Brussels, with the First Vice President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans and the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. According to a statement by the government, Europe’s future and bolstering the European project were among the topics on the agenda, with the Sibiu summit on the horizon, on the 9th of May, when leaders want to send a message of European Union unity. Brexit was also on the agenda and the Romanian Prime Minister has said that her country will pursue the respect for the citizens ‘rights after Britain’s withdrawal from the bloc. Romanian domestic matters were also discussed: the respect for the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. Viorica Dancila has offered assurances to the European officials that the Romanian government will act to meet the values and principles that lay at the foundations of the European construction and, at the same time, will take measures so as the Romanian citizens enjoy the same rights as any European citizen. The President of the European Council wrote on his personal Twitter account that he had discussed with Prime Minister Dancila about Romania’s priorities and the Sibiu Summit. As far as the rule of law is concerned, the European official has written that he may be old-fashioned, but he continues to believe that it is up to the judges, and not the politicians, to decide who is guilty and who is not.
The Magurele Laser has reached the record power of 7 petawatt and became the most powerful in the world
The Laser in the Romanian town of Magurele has reached the record power of 7 petawatt, a performance that brings the European ELI-NP project on the first place in the world. It is a turning point – researchers from Magurele say – to reach the goal of 10 petawatt until June. The performance announced on Thursday also shows that Romania could have a leading role in the global race of scientific research. The building-up of the Magurele laser started in 2016 and the project is financed with European funds in partnership with the French company Thales. The strongest laser in the world was considered to be until now the laser in South Korea, with a declared power of 4 petawatt.
Mădălina Brotăcel – RADOR
