Statements of the Prime Minister of Romania at the opening of the inaugural summit of Crimea Platform
Romania has been and will continue to be a firm supporter of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and remains strongly committed to the policy of non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, Prime Minister Florin Citu said in Kiev at the opening of the inaugural summit of Crimea Platform. The initiative also aims to ensure security in the Black Sea region. The authorities in Bucharest are extremely aware of the current challenges and threats to values, stability and security in the Black Sea region – said Prime Minister Florin Citu. In his view, these challenges can only be overcome by firm and consistent action, by strengthening democracies, by fully upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen, by ensuring the proper functioning of public institutions and the rule of law. „As you know, Romania has been and will continue to be a firm supporter of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, Romania remains strongly committed to implementing the policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. Romania supports Ukraine’s aspirations to become a member of the European and Euro-Atlantic community. In fact, Romania was the first member state of the EU to ratify the association agreement between the European Union and Ukraine „, said Prime Minister Cȋţu.
Latest pandemic and vaccinations updates
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Romania is increasing day by day, and the medical units began again to supplement the beds for those infected. On the other hand, fewer and fewer people choose to receive the vaccine, contrary the fact that specialists repeatedly pointed out that vaccination is the only way to prevent deaths and serious forms of the disease. 415 new cases of COVID have been reported in the last 24 hours in Romania, after performing over 15,000 tests. The number of those hospitalized with COVID-19 has reached 1,378, with almost 440 more than a week ago, and 193 patients are in ICUs. Also, more than 3,900 infected people are isolated at home, with more than 1,400 more than a week ago. In addition, authorities reported 13 new deaths associated with coronavirus infection. Romanians show a low interest in vaccination. The latest figures indicate that just over 7,800 people have received the first dose of an anti-COVID-19 serum or the single dose in the last 24 hours. In total, almost 5,650,000 people have been completelly vaccinated in Romania. As the new school year is starting soon, the authorities are considering opening vaccination centers in schools as well. However, the immunization of students over 12 years of age will be done only with the parents’ consent, the Minister of Health, Ioana Mihăilă, said for Radio România Actualitati.
Education unions urge the Romanian government to decide whether to increase teachers’ salaries
The Romanian government must decide as soon as possible whether the salaries in education will be increased, otherwise the silence of the authorities will be interpreted as an invitation to protest, said a joint communiqué issued by the Federation of Free Trade Unions (FSLI) and the Federation of Education Unions „Spiru Haret”. „The Prime Minister of Romania, Mr. Florin Cîţu announced – again without slightest regret – that the salaries in the Romanian education system will not be increased this year, after the decision taken at the beginning of the year to it froze all salaries in the budget sector for 2021. It was perhaps the most vehement and triumphant „NO” expressed so far in relation to the requests we have submitted to the Romanian Government „, it is shown in the communiqué issued by the union./mbaciu
Magda Baciu
