News review of the day – February 18

EU Summit: Romania to plead for fair negotiations with the UK towards its citizens

European leaders are meeting in Brussels for a summit that is considered crucial towards EU’s future relations with the United Kingdom, trying to find solutions to London’s reform requests meant to avoid the so-called Brexit, UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis is attending the summit and declared before leaving to Brussels that Romania is going to plead for fair negotiations, which are not to discriminate its citizens. The UK is seeking, among other things, to reduce social benefits, specifically for  Eastern European migrants. The solution to London’s reform requests should be in full accordance with EU’s principles, fundamental values and treaties, the Romanian head of state added.

Romania faces a growing number of asylum applications

Romania faces a growing number of asylum applications, more than 40% coming from Syrian nationals. According to the Romanian the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), 160 refugees from Italy and 135 from Greece are arriving this year in our country following European Commission’s decision to relocate them. Head of the General Inspectorate for Immigration Viorel Vasile, quoted by Radio Romania, said accommodation in Romania’s six asylum centers has been supplemented:

Viorel Vasile: Last year, the EU agreed that Romania should participate to relocation of several refugees in Italy and Greece. We have sent the letters of intention and proper verifications have been made. We are now waiting for these persons to be sent to Romania. It is all up to our colleagues in the two countries.

Royal Family commemorated 100 years since Queen Elisabeth of Romania’s death

The Royal Family of Romania is commemorating today 100 years since Queen Elisabeth of Romania’s death. A special event was held at the Orthodox Church in Săvârşin (current residence of the royal family members) and attended by HRH Princess Margareta and HRH Prince Radu of Romania. High representatives of the clergy, local authorities, personalities coming from Romania and the Republic of Moldova have also been present, Radio Romania reported.

12 new deaths caused by the flu raise seasonal toll to 21 in Romania

12 more persons died of flu in Romania last week, the toll raising now to 21 deaths, according to official data. Almost 90% of deaths have been registered in case of unvaccinated persons who had also been suffering from different other diseases. Most cases have been registered in Bucharest followed by Argeş and Cluj counties. Countrywide, 91.000 cases of acute respiratory tract infections have been signaled last week only, however less against the same week in the previous season. So far, 600.000 people in risk categories (children, elders, pregnant women) have been vaccinated against the flu within the annual programme of the Health Ministry.

15 migrants detained for illegal cross-border attempt between Romania and Hungary

Border policemen in Nădlac checkpoint discovered 15 migrants, 14 men and one woman, attempting to cross on foot the border between Romania and Hungary. Four of them are Turkish nationals, eight Somali and three citizens from Sri Lanka, aged 17 to 31 who planned to reach the Schengen area. They have all been placed under criminal investigation for illegal cross-border attempt, Radio Romania reported.

Tarom airline to suspend all flights to Moscow due to low demand

Romania’s national airline TAROM announced it is going to suspend all flights to Moscow operated with its own aircraft starting March 27th. The decision was made due to low passenger requests for this route. TAROM is the fifth company giving up flights to Russia, after airlines like Estonian Air, Air Berlin, Easy Jet and Thai Airways, Radio Romania reported.

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