April 6, 2025 UPDATE
A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 06.04.2025, 18:40
NATO. Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan on Sunday issued a statement on the celebration of NATO Day in Romania and the 21st anniversary of the country’s joining this organisation. He said that in the current international context, now more than ever, NATO membership is a security guarantee and a solid basis for Romania’s further development and positioning itself as a pillar of stability in the region and a responsible ally. Owing to the NATO structures it is hosting and the participation of Romanian soldiers to the NATO battle group in Poland and the enhanced air policing missions in the Baltic states, Romania plays an important role in strengthening the allied deterrence and defence posture on the eastern flank, Ilie Bolojan also said in his statement. He added that Bucharest will continue to support Ukraine with a view to achieving fair and sustainable peace. Defence minister Angel Tîlvăr said the values promoted by the Washington Treaty are essential landmarks for Romanians, and the transatlantic relationship remains an essential pillar of collective defence. The minister recalled that NATO membership was a major goal for all Romanians, regardless of their political convictions and social status and an essential step towards consolidating the country’s security and stability, demonstrating commitment to democratic values. Romania joined NATO in April 2004.
Education. Romanian education minister Daniel David, who is on a trip to the US, had talks with the students of Romanian universities there and the Romanian diaspora. He aimed to achieve a better understanding of their educational needs and the creation of a bidimensional relationship with a view to mutual support in education and research, the education ministry said in a Facebook post on Sunday. The minister also discussed education and research and development with American experts who are involved in and are well acquiainted with the international education system.
Culture. Romanian minister for culture Natalia Intotero will be attending an informal meeting of culture ministers in the European Union held on Monday and Tuesday in Warsaw and whose main theme is the role of culture in consolidating European identity. According to a ministry statement, Intotero will call for the promotion of culture not just as a marker of identity, but also as an instrument of resilience and social cohesion, on a European continent faced with multiple crises. The meeting in Warsaw emphasises the need for European cooperation in the field of culture and Romania’s commitment to actively contribute to future cultural policies in Europe, the statement also reads.
Tennis. Third seed Flavio Cobolli of Italy defeated first seed Sebastian Baez in the Ţiriac Open final in Bucharest, an ATP tennis tournament worth almost 600,000 euros. Cobolli won in straight sets. This was his second ATP final and his first ever trophy. Baez already won a title this year, in Rio de Janeiro, and played one other final, in Santiago de Chile. The Spanish-Argentine pair Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos defeated the all German pair Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner to the doubles title in Bucharest. (CM)