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Another important visit last week was that of Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda. Romania's president Iohannis welcomed him in Bucharest on Friday, May 6. The two officials' discussions focused mainly on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, "which generated the worst security crisis in decades, with multiple implications," and ways to support the refugees fleeing the war. In the joint press conference after the meeting, Klaus Iohannis said that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia should result in the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, and that Romania supports the sanctions adopted against Russia.

On the business side, the main topic that made the headlines last week was that representatives of Romania's gas producer Romgaz and ExxonMobil signed the contract by which state-controlled Romgaz buys 50% of the rights over the Neptun Deep perimeter in the Black Sea. The deal is worth about USD 1 billion.

State company Romarm, its subsidiary Electromecanica Ploiesti and Raytheon Missiles & Defense also signed an important memorandum of understanding last week, under which Electromecanica Ploiesti and Raytheon will manufacture in Romania the SkyCeptor missiles interceptor. This is a long-range interceptor that has low costs and is developed to defend against ballistic and cruise missiles. According to economy minister Florin Spataru, the memorandum signed on May 4 is the first step in developing the long-term strategic partnership between Electromecanica Ploiesti, Romarm and Raytheon.

Romania's first multidisciplinary centre meant to support investigations into abuses against children opened in Saftica, north of Bucharest, on May 2. The venue, which includes a hearing room, an aid room, a doctor's office, and an area for social assistance and therapy, will allow a team of professionals to train at current international standards to investigate various abuses against child victims.

This past weekend, about 10,000 runners joined the OMV Petrom Bucharest Half Marathon in the Romanian capital. Mkungo Panuel from Kenya (time 01.02.28) won the race, followed by Million Hailu Kakisa from Ethiopia and Kenyan Paul Tiongik, according to News.ro. In the women's category, the fastest runner was Nahimana Cavaline from Burundi (time 1.11.33). Two Romanians won the 10 km race: Andrei Rusu (time 0.29.44) and Roxana Elisabeta Rotaru (0.34.41). The complete results are available here.

Gopo Awards, the event rewarding the Romanian film industry, also announced the 2022 winners last week. Radu Jude's Babardeală cu bucluc sau porno balamuc/Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, the winner of the Golden Bear at last year's Berlin International Film Festival, won the Best Feature Film trophy, while Cristi Puiu won the Best Director trophy for Malmkrog. You can read more about it here.

Cetate Synagogue (Sinagoga din Cetate) in Timisoara reopened on Friday, May 6, with a ceremony attended by high-ranking officials such as ambassadors, representatives of 16 religious denominations, ministers, secretaries of state, the president of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament, the Vice President of the German Parliament, and senior officials of the German Government. "It has been closed as a place of worship since 1985. Its gates reopened to the local community today and will remain open. The synagogue has undergone consolidation and restoration work that will allow the resumption of the religious service and the organization of cultural events for everyone. Work will continue. So is the support of Timisoara City Hall," Timisoara mayor Dominic Fritz said on Facebook.

Long-distance trail crossing Romania to host residencies exploring communities, traditions of its eight regions