Thursday, 18th May

EU competition commissioner on a visit to Romania

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager is in Romania on Thursday for an official visit. Ms. Vestager is expected to attend the Anniversary Conference of Romania’s Competition Council. The agenda of the day also includes a meeting with Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu and a press conference in the Press Room of the Romanian Senate. The EU commissioner is also expected to meet Romanian senior MPs and such cabinet members as Economy Minister Mihai Tudose, Transport Minister Răzvan Cuc, and Communications Minister Augustin Jianu. A separate meeting is scheduled between Ms. Vestager and Romanian Energy Minister Toma Petcu. A Danish politician, Margrethe Vestager served previously as MP of the Danish Social Liberal Party before becoming Denmark’s Minister for Economic Affairs and then Interior Minister between 2011 and 2014.

Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu meets Health Minister Florian Bodog

Romania’s Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu is expected to meet his Health Minister Florian Bodog on Thurday for talks on emergeny issues in the country’s health service. The meeting comes at a time when the number of measles fatalities in the Romanian outbreak has grown to 26, according to health officials. Romania’s vaccination rate has fallen sharply over the last decade, driven in part by a vocal anti-vaccination movement here. The country now has Europe’s highest measles infection rate, and its fifth-lowest vaccination rate.

DIICOT raids in Romanian prisons

Prosecutors in Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) launched 16 raids in prisons in the capital Bucharest and the near-by counties of Ilfov and Călăraşi on Thursday. The investigation involves Ştefan Răducan, also known as „Fane Caran”, the alleged leader of a criminal gang currently jailed in the Rahova high security prison in Bucharest where he serves a 9-year prison term. DIICOT charges include influence peddling and bribe. Some 18 people are being questioned for their alleged involvement in the affair.

International Museum Day in Romania

Romania is celebrating the International Museum Day on Thursday. Every year since 1977 International Museum Day is organised worldwide around May 18. This day is an occasion to raise awareness on how important museums are in the development of society. ICOM Advisory Committee organises the theme of this event that, given the high number of countries involved, lasts a day, a weekend, a week or even a month. From America to Oceania including Africa, Europe and Asia, this international event has confirmed its popularity. The theme of the current edition is „Museums and Contested Histories: Saying the Unspeakable in Museums”. In Romania, exhibitions and different art events are organised across the country. However, Dimitrie Gusti Village Museum in the capital Bucharest is expected to host a specal event as it celebrates its 81st anniversary: the exhibition „Through the Mirror” will open on Thursday afternoon.

Alexandru Danga