Romanian PM Meets With Juncker One Day After Failed Reception
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Bucharest on Tuesday, one day after the Romanian official failed to meet the European dignitary at his arrival for the Three Seas Initiative summit.
The two officials held brief talks at the Baneasa Airport before Juncker was set to leave the country.
The Romanian PM was supposed to greet the European Commission President at his arrival in the country on Monday, but failed to reach the airport before the latter’s motorcade left the airport.
The Government later issued a statement blaming an earlier landing of the European official’s aircraft, but also the country’s dignitary protection agency SPP who allegedly escorted the motorcade to Juncker’s hotel immediately after the plane landed, for the situation.
However, knowledgeable sources told MEDIAFAX that the EU official was the one who decided when to leave the airport. (puterea.ro)
Italy’s Three-Way Bid For 2026 Winter Olympics “Dead”
The Italian government announced on Tuesday that the bid to stage the 2026 Winter Olympics jointly in Milan, Turin and Cortina was “dead” due to differences between the cities’ mayors.
“The proposal does not have the support of the government so it dies here,” Italy’s sports minister Giancarlo Giorgetti told parliament. “Doubt and suspicion prevailed.”
Veneto Governor Luca Zaia and Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana, however, proposed staging a two-way bid led by Milan and Cortina, without Turin, so Italy could still host the event.
Three cities have already pulled out of the 2026 race, with Japan’s Sapporo, Switzerland’s Sion and Austria’s Graz all previously announcing their decision to withdraw. (romanialibera.ro)
Leu Weakens Slightly Vs Euro
The Romanian leu weakened slightly against the euro Tuesday and the central bank calculated a reference rate of 4.6478 lei/euro at midday, from Monday’s rate of 4.6435 lei/euro.
The leu firmed to 3.9793 units against the US dollar Tuesday, from 3.9865 units on Monday. (romanialibera.ro)