August 20, 2023
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 20.08.2023, 14:00
Cooperation – One
of Romania’s objectives in the coming period is to re-conquer the traditional
markets with Asian countries, such as Singapore, Vietnam and Japan – says the Economy
Minister, Radu Oprea. In a press conference, Radu Oprea emphasized that the
Romanian economy must take advantage of the markets and trade agreements signed
by the European Union with Asian countries. The Economy Minister added that in
October a joint committee meeting with South Korea will be held, and in
November – the one with Vietnam, two countries with very high collaboration
potential, both by attracting technology through investments in Romania, and by
exporting, in the case Romanian companies.
Inflation – Last
month Romania registered one of the highest annual inflation rates in the
European Union, 9.4%, show official data of the EU statistics. According to
EUROSTAT, Romania ranked fifth, although the index was measured with a single
digit. On first place is Hungary, with an inflation rate of 17.5%, followed by
Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic, all with over 10%. The lowest annual
inflation rate was in Belgium, 1.7%. Compared to June, EUROSTAT also shows, the
annual inflation rate decreased in 19 member countries of the European Union,
including Romania.
Festival – The
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, known throughout the world for its New Year’s
concert, is coming to Bucharest, at the George Enescu Festival. The
Viennese orchestra will perform two concerts at Sala Palatului – the Palace
Hall in Bucharest, on September 10 and 11, according to the official program of
the event. The festival will start in two weeks’ time, on August 27, with a
recital by the George Enescu Philharmonic, with Cristian Măcelaru
as conductor. The Royal Orchestra Concertgebouw from Amsterdam, the
Netherlands, the National Orchestra of France and the London Symphony Orchestra
will also come to Bucharest.
Ukraine – The
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy, Josep Borrell, said in an interview given to the Spanish newspaper
El Pais that he does not believe that giving up military aid to
Ukraine will lead to peace. Josep Borrell added that Europe was doing
everything possible to achieve peace negotiations that should recognize that
there is an aggressor and a victim. The European official noted, on
the other hand, that were it not for the conflict in Ukraine, it would take
years for Kyiv to join the EU and he emphasized that this conflict pushed
Ukraine towards the EU, where Russia did not want to see it.
Volleyball
– Romania lost to Switzerland, 3-2, on Saturday evening, in Monza (Italy), in a
Group B match of the European Women’s Volleyball Championship – CEV EuroVolley
2023. The Romanian national team was coming after a 3 -1 victory against
Croatia and a defeat by Italy, score 0-3. Romania will play against
Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday and against Bulgaria on Tuesday. The first four
ranked teams in the group qualify for the round of 16 of the European
Championship. CEV EuroVolley 2023 takes place between August 15 and September 3
in four countries, Belgium, Italy, Estonia and Germany. Romania’s best result
at a European Women’s Championship was recorded in 1963, when the Romanian volleyball
players won bronze on home ground. (LS)
