Here are the main news in brief on Tuesday, 14 May:

Romania-Israel friendship relations, based on the deep ties between the two peoples, PM Ciolacu says
*The uninterrupted relations of friendship between Romania and the State of Israel are based on the deep ties between the two peoples and the common democratic values they share, said prime minister Marcel Ciolacu, in a message sent to the solemn sitting of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies dedicated to the Day of solidarity and friendship between Romania and the State of Israel. "One of the essential pillars of this close relationship is represented by the Jewish community in Romania and the community of Israeli citizens of Romanian origin. The two communities have left their mark on the culture and civilisation of the two states and have contributed to strengthening our bilateral relations," Ciolacu said.
State of Israel has always supported our country and Romanian people (Jewish Communities' Vexler)
*The State of Israel has always supported our country and the Romanian people, being one of Romania's essential partners, both in the Middle East and worldwide, the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania (FCER) deputy Silviu Vexler told the plenary session of the Parliament, at the solemn meeting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate devoted to the celebration of the Day of Solidarity and Friendship between Romania and the State of Israel. "In today's world, it has become almost unbelievable to be able to listen, along with the national anthem, to the anthem of the State of Israel, perhaps because its name is 'Hativa' - hope. In a normal period, the gesture we are making today would have a special importance in itself, but, in the current context, marking the Day of Solidarity and Friendship between Romania and the State of Israel is truly a historical act. It is often said that true friendship manifests itself in the most difficult moments ever, the time for such a symbol is now," said deputy Vexler.
President Iohannis awards several Israeli cultural personalities for their contribution to deepening bilateral relations
*President Klaus Iohannis signed on Tuesday the decree awarding the Cultural Merit Order to several Israeli artists for their contribution to the development of bilateral relations. According to the Presidential Administration, the said personalities were conferred the Cultural Merit Order in the rank of Officer, category D, "as a sign of appreciation for their role in promoting Romanian culture in the State of Israel, thus contributing to the development of Romania - Israel bilateral relations."

PM Ciolacu: I discussed plan to send Patriot system to Ukraine with President Iohannis, decision to be taken in CSAT
*Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that he discussed with President Klaus Iohannis the possibility to send a Patriot missile system to Ukraine, stressing however that a decision on this subject will be made only following a meeting of the Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT). "I am sure that you will learn about the decision after the CSAT meeting," Ciolacu said in Brasov when asked if he approached the subject with the head of the state. According to the prime minister, the relevant discussion took place recently.
PATRIOT system operational in Romania is indispensable, says DefMin Tilvar
*The PATRIOT system operational in Romania is indispensable, and the discussion on the transfer of such a battery to Ukraine will be analyzed in the Supreme Council for Country's Defense (CSAT), the minister of defense Angel Tilvar stated in Brasov. "No one said that we have to give it [a PATRIOT system battery - editor's note]. These are requested hardware, taking into account the situation there. We have one such functional equipment and three that are in the process of becoming functional. Until then, our need is currently satisfied by this equipment. We are going to have other discussions," said the minister, according to national television channel TVR.

PM Ciolacu: We are in the situation where labour bears the most taxes and it isn't right
Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu said that, in the next period, he will start discussing with the social partners to "set things right" in relation to labour taxation. "It was a wrong approach, because the incapacity to conduct collections as we should have, and the fact that we failed to have ANAF [The National Tax Authority - editor's note] digitised led to this decision, which is, as I see it, a totally wrong decision - that of increasing taxation in that sector where we can collect better (...) and then we ended up with having labour bearing the most taxes, while taxation is uniform, regardless of income. That's why I'm firmly convinced that, in the coming period, I will start discussions with the social partners, in order to reset things. But I don't want to do this like it was done in the past and make some hasty decisions on the spot, right there at the negotiation table, for, in the end, we will pay for such decision with an increased inflation. Inflation has just decreased by almost 0.5 percent. (...) Let's get things back to normal," said Ciolacu.

EduMin Deca: Romania to make every effort to become attractive destination for international mobility
Romania will continue to support partnerships in higher education and will make every effort to become an attractive destination for international mobility, while at the same time being a promoter of European values, said Education Minister Ligia Deca on the occasion of the Education Council meeting in Brussels. Education Minister Ligia Deca attended the Education Council meeting in Brussels on Monday, where the proposal for a Council Recommendation 'Europe on the Move' - learning mobility opportunities for everyone - was adopted. AGERPRES (editor: Cristina Zaharia)