May 9th, a day of triple significance for Romania
For Romania the day of May 9th has a triple significance.
Firstly, May 9th is Romania’s Independence Day. It was on May 9th 1877 when Romania officially gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire after the end of the Russian – Turkish War. At that time Romania fought on the side of Russia. After the victory of Russia in the war Romania was recognized as a state with its independence recognized by both Ottoman Empire and Great Powers. The new Kingdom of Romania was established. However, the Independence Act was signed by Prince Carol I on May 10.
Also on May 9th, Romania celebrates the Victory Day, a holiday commemorating the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Allied Nations at the end of Second World War. Two separate capitulation events took place at the time. First, the capitulation to the Allied Nations in Reims was signed on 7 May 1945, effective 23:01 CET 8 May. This date is commonly referred to as the V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) in most western European countries. Joseph Stalin was displeased by this, believing that the German surrender should have been accepted only by the envoy of the USSR. Therefore, another ceremony was organised in the outskirts of Berlin late on 8 May, when it was already May 9 in Moscow due to the difference in time zones. Therefore, most East-European countries celebrate the Victory Day on May 9 while other countries including UK, France, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the Baltic States and some regions in Germany hold celebrations on May 8.
Last but not least, Romania also celebrates Europe Day, an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. There are two separate designations of Europe Day: 5 May for the Council of Europe, and 9 May for the European Union (EU). The latter is the EU’s flag day and it has a greater visibility. The Council of Europe’s day reflects its own establishment in 1949, while the European Union’s day is also known as Schuman Day and celebrates the historical declaration by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in 1950.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is expected to host a reception at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace in the capital Bucharest on Monday with guests including Romania’s EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu and Prime Minister Dacian Cioloş.
Romania’s health minister resigns
Romania’s health minister resigned after six months in office. Health Minister Achimaş-Cadariu Patriciu submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos on Monday. The move comes after months of scandals involving the minister and his ministry. Romanian authorities conducted searches on Saturday at hospitals and the offices of drug company Hexi Pharma, which reportedly supplied dozens of hospitals with the disinfectant for use on surfaces and hands. Police seized documents and samples from 25 hospitals where tests revealed problems with the disinfectant. Some 500 people protested Friday in Bucharest over the latest scandal to hit the poor health care system.
Romania’s oil company Petromidia Năvodari seized by anti-corruption prosecutors
Prosecutors with Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) opened an investigation against Petromidia Năvodari, an oil company once owned by late Romanian tycoon Dinu Patriciu. Rompetrol Rafinare’s shares were suspended from trading at the Bucharest Stock Exchange early on Monday. The DIICOT investigation is part of „Rompetrol II” file with RON 3 billion (some EUR 700 million) seizure on Petromidia shares and private accounts. The first Rompetrol case, the so-called „Rompetrol 1”, opened in 2006 and involved Mr. Patriciu and Sorin Roşca Stănescu, a well-known journalist at the „Ziua” newespaper, along with other people. Other oil companies such as KazMunaiGaz International and OilField Business Solutions are also involved in the case, judicial sources say. Their represntatives are expected at the DIICOT on Tuesday.
Financial news
Romania’s National Bank Governor Mugur Isarescu is expected to attend an IMF presentation of its spring regional economic report on Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe on Monday.
In another development, the number of borrowers who were more than 30 days late on paying their loan rates rose to 725,000 at the end of March, the highest since June 2013, central bank data showed, according to Romanian media.
Also on the country’s financial market, Romania’s tax authority ANAF collected taxes worth 66.62 billion lei in the first four months, 3 percent higher that initially budgeted, it said on Friday. VAT collection was roughly 9 percent smaller on the year.
Alexandru Danga
