March 15, 2023
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 15.03.2023, 13:55
Partnership. The joint accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the
Schengen free movement area is one of the main topics on the agenda of the
visit that President Klaus Iohannis is making, today, to Sofia, where he meets
with his counterpart Rumen Radev. The two will also address issues related to
combating illegal migration and a more effective protection of the external
borders of the European Union. The central point of Klaus Iohannis’ visit to
Sofia is, however, raising the
Romanian-Bulgarian relationship to the level of Strategic Partnership. Klaus
Iohannis and Rumen Radev will sign a joint Declaration in this regard. The
document provides, among other things, boosting political dialogue and economic
exchanges, promoting projects for the development of the Danube region, ensuring
energy security and the promotion of green energy. The declaration also refers
to cooperation in the field of European affairs, as well in defense and
security, in the context of the difficulties caused by Russia’s war against
Ukraine.
Interception. The United States protested via diplomatic channels,
after a Russian fighter jet caused the crash of an American surveillance drone
yesterday in the international airspace above the Black Sea. According to the
American Air Forces in Europe, two Su-27 planes intercepted the unmanned drone
and one of them hit its propeller. The American authorities refrained from
explicitly accusing an intentional act, but drew the attention of the Russians
that such aggressive maneuvers can lead to military escalations. Instead, the
Ministry of Defense in Moscow claimed that its planes did hit the American
drone, which allegedly crashed due to sudden maneuvers and loss of altitude.
Russia says the US drone came close to the Crimean Peninsula, which it
considers its territory.
Banking. Moody’s
rating agency has announced it has changed to negative from stable their
outlook on the US banking system, to reflect the rapid deterioration in the
operating environment following deposit runs at Silicon Valley Bank, Silvergate
Bank and Signature Bank and the failures of SVB and SNY. Even though the federal government intervened
to save the SVB deposits and announced a new crediting facility to avoid more
panic among depositors, the US banks’ shares have collapsed over the past few
days.
Food. The menus of restaurants and canteens in Romania will have to include, following
the European model, more information
about the ingredients used, including the amounts of salt, sugar, fat and the
type of meat used, as well as the nutritional values of the dishes. The new
rules, also valid for those who deliver food through applications, apply
starting today, on International Consumer Day. All information must be
displayed in a visible and easily accessible place, on a sign or menu and not
be hidden by other written or photographic materials.
Protest. Education union representatives are picketing the
Prefect’s Offices in several counties of Romania, dissatisfied with the level
of salaries, especially for auxiliary teaching and non-teaching staff. The
trade unionists also demand the application of the regulations regarding the
granting of bonuses for special working conditions, because, they say,
employees in education are the only state employees who do not benefit from
them. The protests will continue next week. Moreover, if their requests are not
resolved, the education employees plan to picket the headquarters of Government
and prefectures in April as well. They have also warned that a protest march
will be organized in Bucharest in May, which may be followed by an all-out
strike.
Festival. The screening of the police comedy ‘L’Innocent’, by Louis
Garrel, opens, this evening, in Bucharest, the 27th edition of the French Film Festival. The film
will be presented in the emblematic section of the festival, ‘Panorama’, which
includes the most beloved recent French films. In the context of the 30th
anniversary of Romania’s accession to the International Organization of
Francophonie, also today, within the Festival, the francophone streaming
platform TV5MONDE plus will be launched in Romania, in partnership with TV5
Monde. The French Film Festival takes place between March 15-26, with over 110
film screenings scheduled in cinemas and alternative cultural spaces in 13
cities across Romania.
Tennis. The Romanian tennis player Sorana Cirstea
has qualified for the quarter finals of the WTA 1000 tournament at Indian
Wells, California, with 8.8 million dollars in prize money. She defeated the
world’s no. 5 Caroline Garcia 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. In the next round, Sorana will
take on the Polish Iga Swiatek, the world leader, who passed by the British
player of Romanian descent Emma Raducanu. The two players have met once before,
at the 2022 Australian Open, when Swiatek won.(MI)
