Wednesday, March 3

European Commission support of 13 Romanian reform projects

The European Commission is expected to support 13 reform projects put forward by Romanian authorithies and designed to ensure Romania’s growth and jobs. An EC instrument this year includes a budget of more than € 100 million to all Member States designed to support over 220 reform projects and promote economic, social and territorial cohesion. EC’s cohesion policy is unique to the European integration process. It aims to help each country and region achieve its full potential, to bring about a covergence of living standards and prosperity across the European Union. EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, explained EC’s efforts at a press conference on Tuesday: „Reform is not a goal in itself. Reform is a means to an end: a better environment for business, more resilient healthcare systems, better social and educational systems, better services to our citizens, better resilience to crises, and a smoother return to sustainable growth”, Ms. Ferreira pointed out. „The instrument is part of Europe’s Multi-annual Financial Framework for 2021 – 2027, and it is a key enabler of the Recovery Plan for Europe”, Ms Ferreira added.

A Bucharest court rejects reopening of a criminal probe into 2018 protests

A court in the capital Bucharest has rejected on Wednesday an appeal by Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrosism (DIICOT) expected to reopen a criminal probe into the mass protests on August 10, 2018. The decision is final and it received a negative reaction from human riights groups and politicians. Leader of the governing PLUS party Dacian Cioloș, a former EU commissioner, expressed his disappointment with the ruling while pointing out the need of a parliament commitee supposed to review the events more than two years ago. Romanian MEP Vlad Gheorghe, hit by police during protests, called on victims to unite in a joint legal action before ECHR in Strasbourg, France. The alleged defendants in the trial included Lt. Col. Cazan Laurențiu, police chief commissioner Chirică Mihai, Col. Cucoș Gheorghe, and Col. Sindile Ionuț.

Romania coronavirus updates

Romania reported 4,278 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday with 77 deaths (40 men, 37 women) and 1,032 people under intensive care. In the capital Bucharest, the number of new cases hit 83, according to data issued by the country’s Strategic Communication Group (GCS). With its 110 cases reported, the south-eastern port of Constantza is the leader among other towns and cities across the country. Constantza, and Bucharest are followed by the counties of Gorj (southern Romania), Galați (eastern Romania), and Brașov (central Romania) with 40 each.

Alexandru Danga, RADOR