News review of the day, December 9th

British PM David Cameron on a visit to Romania

British Prime Minister David Cameron is visiting Romania on Wednesday, his first official visit to a country in Eastern Europe. „We want Britain to remain in the European Union, which is something in the interest of both Britain and the European Union,” Cioloş told members of a joint meeting of parliamentary committees for European affairs on Tuesday. According to Cioloş, Britain would make some proposals in the European Council to be held next week in Brussels for „reforming or adapting the functioning way of the European Union,” in the context of London preparing a referendum on remaining or leaving the EU. Mr. Cameron’s official tour also includes Bulgaria and Poland. The British PM is locked in a battle with European counterparts over his demand the UK be able to deny migrants in-work benefits for four years – which he says would cut the flow of foreign job-seekers. In Romania, Mr Cameron will hold talks with Prime Minister Dacian Cioloş and President Klaus Iohannis before travelling to Warsaw for a working dinner with Prime Minister Beata Szydlo.

Romanians and Syrians coming back home

Three Romanian nationals and two of their Syrian-born relatives were brought to Romania’s capital Bucharest at their request on Wednesday. The five refugees came from Syria following a joint operation by Romanian diplomatic missions in Damascus and Beirut in co-operation with the International Organisation for Migration. Romania’s Foreign |Ministry (MAE) remains in permanent contact with Romanians in conflict areas such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other volatile regions in the Middle East or elsewhere, according to a MAE press release. The continuing war in Syria means that there is no end in sight to the refugee crisis. Only a few EU countries have taken in very large numbers while others oppose the move.

DNA prosecutors reloaded

Prosecutors with Romania’s National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) are continuing their raids in renewed efforts addressing the endemic corruption across the country. Such raids were reported in the capital Bucharest and the neighbouring Ilfov county early on Wednesday. Prosecutors are investigating a file involving illegal retrocession of assets. DNA officers raided a number of businesses and homes including the home of Remus Truică, a businessman already under investigation since May for his alleged involvement in a file concerning BRD – Societé Générale, Romania’s second largest bank, with damages of 35 ml euros.

Concert of Romanian Radio’s Chamber Orchestra

Romanian Radio’s Concert Hall will host the concert of its Chamber Orchestra on Wednesday at 7 PM. Conducted by Răzvan Cernat, the concert will include masterpieces of Bach, Beethoven amd Mozart. Romanian violinist Gabriel Croitoru will play Beethoven’s two romances for violin and orchestra on his Guarneri violin once belonging to Romania’s greatest composer George Enescu. The concert is also available to listeners at Radio Romania Muzical and Radio Romania Cultural channels and their websites on the internet.
Alexandru Danga