Attending on Monday the Foreign Affairs Council (CAE) meeting in Brussels, Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu emphasized the importance of Ukraine receiving quick military assistance through the implementation of the Assistance Fund for Ukraine - part of the European Peace Fund (EPF).According to a statement of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Romanian top diplomat underscored the importance of the fast adoption of the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia, and also expressed support for the creation of a new regime of sanctions for Russia's hybrid actions, condemning its recent unacceptable provocations against several EU member states in the Baltic Sea region. The Romanian official cautioned against Russia's hybrid attacks on the Republic of Moldova, which generate significant vulnerabilities, particularly in the context of the neighboring country's electoral processes.Also, Odobescu emphasized the need to continue and strengthen support for Ukraine and condemned Russia's intense and repeated attacks on Ukraine's civil and energy infrastructure, affirming Romania's willingness to continue providing bilateral support to the war-embattled country.The foreign minister also reiterated Romania's support for the European path of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and the organization of the first intergovernmental conferences until the end of June 2024. Regarding President Zelensky's Peace Formula, she emphasized the importance of coordination, both Europe-wide as well as with global partners, in order to ensure the success of the peace conference in Switzerland in June.The agenda of the meeting included a debate on Russia's aggression against Ukraine - with the participation via video conference of Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmitro Kuleba, as well as developments in the Middle East, which were also approached in an informal exchange of views between European ministers with their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and with the Secretary- General of the League of Arab States. The Romanian minister welcomed the role of the states in the region in maintaining regional stability, de-escalating the security situation and mediation, as well as in facilitating the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.The Romanian foreign minister emphasized the need to solve the crisis in Gaza by continuing efforts for the release of all hostages, without preconditions, the ceasefire, the provision of comprehensive humanitarian assistance and the resumption of the political process that will lead to a lasting peace, based on the two-state solution, in coordination with the US, the UK, and regional partners. Odobescu reaffirmed Romania's constant commitment to improving the humanitarian situation and mentioned the dispatch of a new humanitarian assistance transport to Gaza through the humanitarian corridor in Cyprus.
The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, congratulated Pope Leo XIV for succeeding Pope Francis on Thursday, May 8. He expressed confidence that the new pope will continue to promote "the spirit of dialogue, peace, and cooperation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church." "In a world facing multiple spiritual, economic, and […]
The organizers of the Untold festival announced they will offer a RON 150 (EUR 30) voucher toward the purchase of a festival pass to anyone who votes on May 18, during the second round of the presidential elections. In an online message, Untold representatives emphasized the connection between civic participation and the future of every […]
The Open Streets program, which sees the city's major arteries close for car traffic and become pedestrian areas, returns this weekend with a program of exhibitions, concerts, and a Festival of Lights. On Saturday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m., the public is invited to the Made in Romania exhibition, which presents a selection of civilian […]
Joseph Stiglitz, the famous economist and professor at Columbia University in New York, and winner of the Nobel Prize in economy in 2001, told an audience in Cluj, Romania, that governments must stimulate exports and key sectors when facing deficits. Stiglitz was in Romania on Thursday, May 8, to receive the title of Doctor Honoris […]
The Constitutional Court unanimously validated on Friday, May 9, the results of the first round of the presidential elections. It also rejected as unfounded a request to annul the elections filed by Sebastian-Constantin Popescu, the presidential candidate of the New Romania Party, it announced. The runoff, set for May 18, will see ultranationalist leader George […]
Bucharest's culinary scene welcomes back OLEA, the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel's celebrated Mediterranean destination, now reimagined with a fresh concept that blends authentic coastal flavours with contemporary sophistication. Following an extensive transformation, OLEA reopens its doors to offer guests a refined journey through the Mediterranean's sun-drenched culinary traditions, right in the heart of Romania's […]
