RRI Newsflash

President Klaus Iohannis Tuesday criticised the rejection by Parliament of the request filed by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate regarding the start of criminal proceedings against PM Victor Ponta, suspected of conflict of interests while in office.

The co-president of the National Liberal Party, Alina Gorghiu, said Victor Ponta proved his disregard for the law and for Romanians.

Both the President and the Opposition continue to believe that the solution to the current crisis is for Victor Ponta to step down.

Also on Tuesday the US Embassy to Bucharest said in a message that any accusations against government officials must be thoroughly investigated, without interference, and the law should be applied equally to everyone.

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The Supreme Defence Council convened on Tuesday in Bucharest, chaired by President Klaus Iohannis.

The agenda included the new National Defence Strategy, which has been submitted to Parliament for approval.

The Supreme Defence Council approved a plan for the restructuring and modernisation of the Romanian Army, as well as the participation of Romanian military forces in foreign missions in 2016.

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The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu will have consultations on Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who will be on an official visit to Bucharest.

The agenda of talks will include, apart from bilateral aspects, the relationship between the EU and Turkey, the security and energy security issue, regional cooperation and developments in the eastern neighbourhood.

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The leaders of the National Liberal Party, the main opposition party in Romania, had a meeting on Tuesday with representatives of several embassies to Bucharest.

The talks focused on the Liberals’ bill regarding the introduction of voting by mail and on the corresponding election laws in force abroad.

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Romania’s women epee team Tuesday won the gold medal at the European Fencing Championship in Montreux, Switzerland. Ana Maria Brânză, Simona Pop, Simona Gherman and Loredana Dinu defeated Estonia in the final, 45-35.

Romania thus defended the title it had won last year in Strasbourg. Wednesday will see the men’s epee games, in which four Romanian athletes take part.

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