Radio România Internațional

Tag: economy

  • 3 August, 2016

    3 August, 2016

    MOURNING — The government in Bucharest discusses today a draft executive order to declare August 13 a national day of mourning. This is the day when Queen Anne will be laid to rest. She was the consort of King Michael I, the last king of Romania. According to the schedule issued by the Romanian royal house, the coffin will first be taken to Peles Caste in Sinaia, the former royal summer residence, then to Bucharest, to the Throne Room of the former Royal Palace. The funeral is scheduled for 13 August at the Curtea de Arges Monastery, the necropolis of Romanian royalty. The royal family has announced they would be in deep mourning for seven days after the funeral, and mourning for 40 days. Three books for mourners will be available for 40 days. One is at Peles Castle, and two in Bucharest. President Iohannis and premier Ciolos, Patriarch Daniel, head of the Orthodox Church, as well as political leaders and public figures, have transmitted condolences. Former president Emil Constantinescu has also sent condolences. Back in 1996, he was the first Romanian leader to issue the royal couple passports.



    ECONOMY — Retail in Romania is up 16% in June as compared to the same month in 2015, the highest growth in an EU member country, according to Eurostat. Retail has grown in the EU by 2.4%. At the same time, Romanian banks are among the most profitable in Europe. According to the European Banking Authority, Romanian banks in the first quarter registered an average profitability of 13.5%, as compared to the European average of almost 6%. Economists say this happens because guarantees and interest rates are 50% higher in Romania than in the rest of Europe. Romanian banks have registered profits of over one billion lei in the first three months of the year, the equivalent of 222 million Euro.



    TRANSPORTATION — Road transporters in Romania hold talks with the government about insurance costs. Employer associations in transportation have called on the government to freeze rates at the level they were in June, 8,500 lei per year for a truck (around 2000 Euro) and 3,000 lei per year (around 700 Euro) for a coach. If an agreement is not reached, transporters threaten national protests in September. In related news, 155 employers working in two mines in western Romania, which are set to close in two years time, were announced they would be laid off. The miners will receive compensation in various forms for two years, in addition to unemployment benefits.



    FOOTBALL – Romanian champions Astra Giurgiu and vice-champions Steaua Bucharest today play their fixtures, which are crucial in the Champions League’s third preliminary round. Astra travel to Denmark for their fixture against FC Copenhagen, following a 1-all draw on home turf, while in Bucharest, Steaua take on Czech contenders Sparta Prague, after a 1-all draw in the first leg of the tie, away from home. In Europa League’s third preliminary round, Pandurii Targu Jiu and Viitorul Constanta sustained severe first leg defeats. On home ground, Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv overpowered Steaua, 3-1, while Belgium’s Gent trounced Viitorul Constanta, 5-nil. Another Romanian squad, CSMS Iasi was ousted from the Europe League’ s second preliminary round by Croatia’s Hajduk Split.



    US MEETING — The interim speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest, Florin Iordache, and Romanian Ambassador to Bucharest, Hans Klemm, discussed on Tuesday the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. On this occasion, Iordache said that the partnership, in place since 1997, could expand to cover the economy, cybersecurity and science. The Romanian official said that Romania was a staunch ally of the US, and a pillar of security in the region. The American diplomat saluted Romanias contribution to regional and global security, its economic growth, and the increasingly successful fight against corruption. According to the US Embassy, the two officials have scheduled periodic meetings.

  • June 25, 2016

    June 25, 2016

    ROMANIANS IN THE UK – The minister for the relation with the Romanian Diaspora, Dan Stoenescu, has assured the Romanians in Great Britain that there is no imminent change in their situation and nothing will change in the interaction between the two states in the ensuing period of time. He underlined that, during the forthcoming negotiations, Romania will take into consideration several elements, among which: the social dimension and the impact this referendum will have on the rights and freedoms of Romanian citizens, economic and trade-related issues, the possible effects on Romanian exports as well as indirect effects on the European economy. Romania will be holding the presidency of the EU Council in 2019 and will have a say in the Brexit process, Stoenescu went on to say. He urged the Romanians willing to leave the country to work abroad to carefully analyse each offer and to accept a job based on an employment contract with clearly set out terms.



    LONDON– Representatives of the six EU founding member states have today met in Berlin, following the Britons decision to leave the European community block. The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are discussing the process and the speed at which the Brexit enforcement procedures will unfold. Ahead of the meeting, German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said its of utmost importance to stay calm. Following Great Britains decision to leave the EU, we cant go into recession or enter a period of inactivity, the German official said. The UKs possible financial costs generated by the decision to leave the European Union have repeatedly been underlined and warnings to that end have been issued. Moody’s rating agency claims that Great Britain is facing a long period of uncertainty, accompanied by plummeting confidence and a decrease in investments which might lead to a decrease of the economic growth rate. The agency downgraded the current AA1 rating prospects for governmental bonds. The Eurogroup president has said a restricted access to the EU is the price Great Britain should pay, and Brexit might prompt some companies to leave the City of London, the BBC correspondents report. The leaders of the EU founding states will meet to discuss Great Britains separation from the union. The first meeting, without British representation, will be held on Wednesday.



    EXCHANGE RATE– In Bucharest, the national currency, the leu, has lost ground against the Euro, which stands at 4.53 lei, the National Bank of Romania announced on Saturday. The impact is lower than expected, against the backdrop of turmoil on financial markets, following Brexit, economic analysts say. The depreciation of the leu against the dollar is considerably higher, a dollar being traded for 4.70 lei. The result of the British referendum has also led to an increase in the ROBOR index, which is used to calculate interest rates for credits in lei, with a three-month maturity. The reference index stands at 0.85, as compared to a constant level of 0.75 in the past months.



    ARREST – Relu Fenechiu, former transport minister, and Ion Krech, former director with the Justice Ministry, on Friday evening got temporarily arrested for 30 days. The ruling is not final. Fenechiu is accused of influence peddling and money laundering, after he reportedly received 620,000 Euros, between 2012 and 2014, from a software company, that is a 15% quota from two contracts promoted by the Justice Ministry.



    REYKJAVIK – A historian with no experience in the domain of public administration, Gudni Johannesson, might become the new president of Iceland, following todays presidential election. The Icelanders will elect a new president, to replace Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson who has held this position since 1996. The election comes at a time of growing disappointment over the political elite, against the backdrop of the “Panama Papers disclosures on certain politicians who own accounts involving off-shore companies. Prime Minister Sigmundur Davís Gunnlaugsson had to step down, following the scandal, the BBC correspondents report.



    FOOTBALL– Three matches are being played today in the eighth finals of the European Football Championships underway in France: Switzerland-Poland in Saint-Etienne, Wales- Northern Ireland in Paris and Croatia – Portugal, in Lens. This is the first edition in the history of the European Football Championships with 24 teams playing in the group stage.


    (Translated by Diana Vijeu )

  • June 24, 2016

    June 24, 2016

    BREXIT — Prime Minister David Cameron has announced today plans to step down by October further to Britain’s vote to leave the EU. Previously, UKIP leader Nigel Farage had called for a “Brexit government.” According to the final results of yesterday’s referendum, 51.9% of the British citizens voted against their country staying in the EU. The voter turnout was over 72%. The referendum revealed major regional differences, with a pro-EU vote in London, Scotland and Northern Ireland, while most England and Wales preferred to leave. The Northern Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein has already issued a release calling for a referendum in Northern Ireland on joining the Republic of Ireland as a solution for staying in the EU. The UK vote risks encouraging similar referendums in other EU member countries. In the Netherlands, anti-immigration leader Geert Wilders has already called for a similar vote in his country, and so did in Italy and France the far-right parties Northern League and National Front. Paris has called on Europe to move to regain the confidence of its citizens. Berlin spoke about a sad day for Europe and for UK, and is to host tomorrow a meeting of the ambassadors of the 6 EU founding member states. In Brussels, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk said the Union was determined to keep its unity as a 27-member bloc. The head of the European Parliament Martin Schulz announced a special meeting of the Parliament on Tuesday. The White House has announced President Barack Obama would have a phone conversation with PM David Cameron today.




    CONSULTATIONS — Romania regrets the UK vote to leave the EU, but respects it, the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has said today after talks with PM Dacian Cioloş, the central bank governor Mugur Isărescu and the leaders of Romanian political parties. The PM emphasised that Brexit will not have a great impact on the Romanian economy and it will be managed without major problems. The National Bank Governor said the impact on the national currency is small and maneageble, while local political leaders say Romania’s path is within the Union, alongside the other member states. The EU is a highly valuable project, and it must carry on, said President Iohannis. He added that in the negotiations preceding the actual separation, Romania will do its best to protect the Romanians who work and live in that country. Klaus Iohannis also pointed out that UK will remain an important partner for Romania, but it will not have a privileged status compared to the EU. Not least, the President pleaded for redefining the European project, so that it might be easier to understand by and more beneficial to its citizens.




    DIASPORA — Forty-five delegations from 13 countries are taking part in Bucharest in the first Congress of Romanian Diaspora, organized in order to strengthen ties with the Romanians living abroad. The talks will mainly focus on the problems faced by the Romanian communities abroad. The agenda also includes talks on the establishment of new cultural institutions for the diaspora, to promote national culture among the Romanian communities in other countries.




    IA DAY — The Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse, a part of the traditional costume of Romanian women, is celebrated today in the main cities across the country with exhibitions, fairs, and conferences on the present and future of one of the elements of Romania’s national culture. The Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse was initiated by the online community “La Blouse Roumaine” in 2013 and grew into a global event, celebrated in over 50 countries. It is marked in cities like Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Paris, London, Madrid, Amsterdam, Milan and Vienna.




    CULTURE — Bucharest is hosting tonight the 10th White Night of Cultural Institutes, in which institutions like the British Council, Goethe Institut, Cervantes Institute, the French Institute and the Romanian Cultural Institute are taking part. Fifteen cultural entities organise more than 50 events in 12 venues. The agenda includes concerts, film screenings, sculpture and photography exhibitions. The White Night of Cultural Institutes is a project of the network of EU National Cultural Institutes, and is organised with support from the Representative office of the European Commission in Romania.

  • June 7, 2016

    June 7, 2016

    Local elections – The leftist Social Democratic Party won over 37% of the vote for city halls, local and county councils, according to the figures released with 97% of the vote count completed. Next come the National Liberal Party, with over 32%, and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania and the Peoples Movement Party. Bucharest has for the first time in history a woman as mayor general, the Social-Democratic Senator Gabriela Vranceanu-Firea. The Social Democrats jointly with the National Union for the Progress of Romania also won the 6 Bucharest district mayor seats, and over 41% of the votes for the Bucharest General Council. Second-ranking in the vote for the General Council was the Save Bucharest Union, an NGO recently turned into a party. Nation-wide, the Social Democrats have council majority in 14 out of the 41 counties, and in 11 other counties they will join forces with ALDE to make up the majority. The Liberals claim that in spite of the failure in Bucharest, at national level they had the best score since 1990. The local elections were a major test ahead of the parliamentary election due this autumn.



    Presidency – The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, currently on the second day of his official visit to Luxembourg, has meetings today with Grand Duke Henri, with PM Xavier Bettel and other senior officials. Yesterday, Klaus Iohannis pleaded for strengthening the bilateral cooperation between Romania and Luxembourg, and mentioned that in 2007 Luxembourg and Sibiu were European capitals of culture, and the long-term effect of that programme for Sibiu, the Presidents home town, is still very visible in areas like economy, infrastructure, tourism and society. The preparations for the NATO Summit due in July in Warsaw, as well as the challenges facing the European Union are also on the agenda of the talks in Luxemburg.




    Protests – Several thousand Romanian farmers are today protesting in front of the Parliament Palace over delays in the payment of farming subsidies and the postponement of key laws for the sector. The Romanian producers demand the regulation of taxation, claiming they are subject to abuse from tax authorities. They also want that sales of farming land to foreign citizens be immediately stopped and clear by-laws on important laws such as the ones on foodstuff labelling, hunting and the sale of Romanian products in supermarkets.




    Economy – Romania reported the highest economic growth rate of the 28 EU member states in the first quarter of the year, according to an estimate released on Tuesday by the European Statistics Office, Eurostat. Romanias GDP went up 1.6% in Q1 compared to the previous 3 months, whereas the rate across the Union was 0.5%, similar to the one in the previous quarter. The highest growth rates after Romania were reported in Cyprus, Spain, Lithuania, Austria, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Germany.




    Migration – The European Commission is launching in Strasbourg today a new action plan on migration, which will focus on a new form of cooperation with the African countries that migrants leave. Under the plan, the EU is to provide African and Middle Eastern countries with 8 billion euro in aid, which might be raised to 60 billion euro through contributions from Member States and the private sector. Another key point of the EC plan is the readmission of economic migrants to their home countries. The migration crisis remains a major issue for a large part of Europe. The Visegrad Group countries (the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary) also approach the issue at the highest level, during a meeting these days in Prague.




    Car bomb – Seven policemen and 4 civilians were killed and 36 other wounded today in a car bomb attack downtown Istanbul, the governor of this Turkish city announced. A car bomb targeting a police vehicle went off near the old part of the city, a major attraction for tourists. The attack has not been claimed yet, but authorities suspect Kurdish militants were behind it, the BBC says. Reuters mentions that this year violence has escalated in Turkey, with attacks perpetrated by the Kurdish separatists and the Islamic State group killing hundreds of people.




    Police cooperation – 20 Romanian police troops are taking part in a new international mission in France. Until August 26, they will provide support and assistance to the French police in investigating cases that involve Romanian citizens. This is the third mission of this kind for the Romanian police. In France, during the same period, nine gendarmes will help maintain public order for the Romanian supporters attending the European Football Championship held between June 10 and July 10. The tournament starts on Friday in Paris with a match pitting France against Romania. In 2010, the Romanian and French Interior Ministries signed a partnership that allows for the deployment of Romanian officers to French police and gendarme units in order to efficiently fight crime in that country.




    Military exercise – Poland is hosting as of today a large scale military exercise, the largest in that country in 25 years. Troops from 19 NATO countries and 4 partner states are taking part, including a unit from Romania. The exercise, dubbed “Anaconda 16, takes place a month ahead of the NATO Summit in Warsaw. The ground training is designed to test NATOs ability to cope with conventional and unconventional threats and to reinforce the position of the Alliances eastern flank. Meanwhile, in Cincu, in central Romania, American, British and Romanian troops take part until June 18 in the multi-national exercise SARMIS-16. The 1,200 servicemen from the Romanian Ground Forces and Romanian Air Forces aircraft will be joined by 150 British and 200 US troops.

  • March 15, 2016

    March 15, 2016

    MEETING – The countrys Higher Defence Council has convened today in Bucharest, in a meeting whose focal points include the latest developments in the migration crisis in the EU. The members of the council are also assessing the results of the fight against the illegal cutting of trees and the stage of the process of equipping the army by 2027. The agenda of the talks also covers such issues such as the evolutions in the Balkans and the impact on Romanias foreign policy and security, as well as Moldovas political outlook.



    ECONOMY – Romania is going through a crucial moment and it is important for it not to slow down the pace of fiscal consolidation or pay less attention to financial stability, the governor of the National Bank of Romania, Mugur Isarescu, said in Bucharest on Tuesday. According to the central bank governor, the country is running the risk of loosing, to a certain extent, the progress it has made and needs legislative stability and clear laws, which should not create confusion. The convergence to the Euro zone can be a beneficial process, a catalyst of reforms says the governor of the National Bank of Romania. In another move, the countrys reserves have increased by 6 billion Euros, and the country has paid back the money to the IMF, he underlined. Mugur Isarescu has admitted that many people and medium sized companies are going through difficult times and he said the GDP would be higher if the country had a better infrastructure.



    DIPLOMACY-Including Romania in the Visa Waiver Program is one of Bucharests priorities in the relation with Washington and there are lots of members of the US Congress who favour the idea, said Romanias Ambassador to the US George Cristian Maior in an interview carried on Monday by Agerpress news agency. He has stated that the partnership between Romania and the USA is a very good one, politically, economically and also with regard to security, and, no matter who will hold the reigns of power in the US in the future, be they the Republicans or the Democrats, the grounds have been set for this partnership to keep on going well and deal with all the challenges posed by the realities of the 21st century. Domestically, Romania is a very cohesive state and with a clearly set strategic line when it comes to its foreign policy, and all these strengths must be used in reaching its diplomatic, political, economic and military interests, the Romanian ambassador has also stated.



    ROAD ACCIDENT– A cell crisis has been activated within the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest, following the car crash in Turkey, in which two Romanian tourists died. Out of the other 14 Romanian citizens who were wounded in the accident, three are in a hospital in Antalya, one in a serious condition; the other 11 were only slightly injured. The Romanian Presidency and Foreign Ministry have sent condolences to the grieving families and have given assurances that all the Romanian citizens affected are properly taken care of. The most serious accident of this type occurred in June 2013, when a coach full of Romanian tourists crashed into a 40 m precipice. 18 people died then, and 29 were injured.



    SYRIA-As of today, Russia starts its military pull out from Syria, following the decision made public yesterday by President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin leader says the measure should encourage the peaceful settlement of the Syrian conflict. In October 2015, Russia launched military operations in Syria, mainly air raids, to support the Bashar al Assad Administration. Moscow claims it targeted exclusively positions of the Islamic State terrorist network and helped the regime of the Syrian president to reconquer important territories from his opponents. The west denounced the raids, however, for having reportedly targeted Syrian insurgent groups. The decision by president Putin coincides with the resumption of inter-Syrian peace talks in Geneva. Whereas representatives of the Syrian opposition who participate in the US-Russian sponsored peace talks have hailed the Russian military withdrawal, the US had a cautious response. A White House spokesperson says it remains to be seen what Russias intentions are. Over 250,000 lost their lives in the past 5 years, since the start of anti-governmental protests in Syria.



    CAR BOMB– A car bomb exploded in a travelling vehicle on a street in downtown Berlin, killing the driver. According to the German police, an explosive device might be the cause of the blast, Reuters reports. The police forces are making thorough controls to see whether there are other explosive devices or not and called on the people living within the security perimeter set by the police to stay indoors.

  • February 10, 2016

    February 10, 2016

    VISIT– Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis, has today started a working visit to the German state of Bavaria and will attend the Security Conference in Munich, scheduled for February 12-14. The Romanian President is due to meet with the President of the Bavarian State Parliament, Barbara Stamm, on Thursday, and with the Bavarian Prime Minister, Horst Seehofer, on Friday. On Saturday, Klaus Iohannis will be among the key speakers of the Security Conference in Munich, at the panel devoted to the future of the North Atlantic Alliance. Some of the focal points of the conference will be the stand on Russia, the refugee crisis, the future of the North Atlantic Alliance, terrorism, the situation in Syria, Ukraine and Africa, as well as climate change. Attending the conference will be heads of state and government, European commissioners and ministers.



    CONDOLENCES– The Romanian Foreign Ministry has today announced that a Romanian national, a woman, is among those injured in Tuesdays train crash in Germany. She is severely injured, but stable. Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis, has sent a message of condolences to the prime minister of the German state of Bavaria, for the victims of the accident, which occurred near the Bavarian town of Bad Aibling. At least 10 people died and over 80 got injured in a head-on collision between two passenger trains. According to the German media, the accident was caused by human error.



    NATO MEETING– The two-day meeting of the NATO defence ministers is underway in Brussels. Romania is represented by the line minister, Mihnea Motoc. The focal points of the meeting are related to NATOs adjusting its strategies to the new security situation, in preparation for the decisions to be made by heads of state and government at the NATO Summit due in Warsaw in June. The defence ministers are also expected to make a decision on strengthening NATOs eastern flank, to deter any possible threat, following Russias actions in Ukraine. NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said NATO is “establishing eight force integration units or small headquarters in the eastern part of the Alliance, to “support planning, training and reinforcements, if needed. Also, decisions will be made on the alliances response to hybrid wars, which combine the conventional military might with cyber attacks and propaganda. Other issues to be approached are NATOs involvement in managing the refugee crisis and the participation of surveillance aircraft, as part of the international coalition, against the Islamic State terrorist group.



    ELECTIONS– The way local elections will be held is today high on the agenda of the Romanian cabinet, which is expected to set both the date and timetable of the actions to unfold in the electoral period. Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos said on Monday, in Parliament, that elections will unfold according to the existing legislation, against the backdrop of the heated debates between the parliamentary parties on electing mayors in one or two rounds of voting. According to a proposal by the Permanent Electoral Authority, the election campaign will start on May 6 and will come to a close on June 4, and the ballot will be held on June 5. Candidacies in the local elections can be submitted by April 26. This springs local elections will be followed by the legislative elections, in autumn.



    SENTENCE – The former head warden of the Penitentiary in Ramnicu Sarat, south-eastern Romania, Alexandru Visinescu, has been sentenced today by the High Court of Cassation and Justice to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity. The sentence is final. According to the prosecutors, between 1956 and 1963, when he was at the helm of the penitentiary, political detainees, who opposed the communist regime, were subjected to an abominable treatment, in extremely poor conditions, meant to destroy them physically. According to the prosecutors, the detainees thus died following a slow but efficient process of physical and psychological torture. 138 detainees who were imprisoned in the penitentiary run by Alexandru Visinescu have been identified so far. He is the first head warden from the communist period to be brought to court.



    ECONOMY – The Romanian authorities intend to ask the European Investment Bank, EIB, to get involved in developing projects under public-private partnerships. The issue was approached yesterday in Bucharest by the visiting EIB President Werner Hoyer, with Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister, Dacian Ciolos. The president of the European Investment Bank pays this visit against the backdrop of the constant support granted by the financial institution he runs, to Romania. Last year, the loans granted by EIB to Romania amounted to 228 million Euro. In the same line, two loans worth 1.3 billion Euro, co-financing EU grants, are at an advanced state of preparation. Over the past 25 years, Romania benefited from over 20 billion Euro worth of long term investments from the European Investment Bank, which were instrumental to creating new jobs, consolidating economic growth and improving the Romanians living standards.


    (Translated and edited by Diana Vijeu)

  • February 3, 2016 UPDATE

    February 3, 2016 UPDATE

    PROSECUTION – The Romanian Senate has complied with the request of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate regarding the prosecution of the senator of the National Union for the Progress of Romania, Gabriel Oprea, former deputy prime minister for national security and interior minister. The decision was passed with 102 ayes and 31 nays. Oprea is facing two charges of abuse in office and is accused of obtaining undue benefits for himself or for another person during his term in office. One of the offences is the use of the Interior Ministrys human and material resources to illegally ensure the ministers police escort. The second offence is related to the conclusion of an agreement under which the Prosecutor General, Tiberiu Nitu, allegedly benefited from a motorcade. Prosecutors say that Tiberiu Nitu, who resigned on Tuesday, is not under investigation. The law stipulates that only the president, the prime minister and the two speakers of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, respectively, have the right to a motorcade, whereas ministers can use it only in emergencies.



    CORRUPTION– The mayor of the south-eastern Romanian city of Braila, Social Democrat Aurel Simionescu, was taken into custody on Wednesday by the anti-corruption prosecutors who accuse him of having favoured a consortium of firms, at a tender to modernize a boulevard. The facts, assimilated to corruption deeds, were reportedly made with the assistance of civil servants subordinated to the mayor, as well as with the complicity of the representatives of the firms interested in getting the public works contracts. According to judicial sources, the prejudice brought to the local administration stands at some 9 million Euros.



    JUSTICE– The Romanian government on Wednesday decided to suspend until September 1, 2016, under an emergency ordinance, the enforcement of the legal provision reducing the sentences of detainees publishing alleged scientific works. The decision comes after justice minister, Raluca Pruna, has justified her calls for the repealing of this legal provision, laid down in the Romanian law since 1969, through the fact that in the last couple of years, abuses have been reported entailing intellectual imposture in penitentiaries. The phenomenon has gained momentum: whereas 90 works were written in 2014, as many as 340 works were published in 2015, minister Pruna explained.



    SECURITY IN EUROPE–The Romanian Foreign Ministry hails the United States announcement on a four-fold increase in the budget destined for the European Reassurance Initiative/ERI for 2017, as well on its determination to assure a robust American military presence in Europe. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the announcement comes as a confirmation of the United States strong commitment to Europes security, tightening NATOs collective defense measures and discouraging risk factors. The implementation of the measures announced by the US will contribute significantly to consolidating Romanias and the other allies security in the face of security provocations in our region, a press release issued by the Romanian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday shows. The Pentagon has announced it increases its budget for Europe, up to 3.4 billion dollars, in the new security strategic context, marked by Russias actions and the ascension of the Islamic State terrorist group. Allied within NATO, Bucharest and Washington are tied by a bilateral strategic partnership.



    DEFENSE – Romania and France are supporting each others efforts to fight international terrorism, and the Romanian authorities reiterate their solidarity with France, in the difficult context generated by the recent terror attacks in Paris. This was the conclusion of the talks held in Bucharest on Wednesday by Romanian defense minister, Mihnea Motoc, and the Chief of Staff of the French Army, general Pierre de Villiers. A focal point on the agenda of the talks was the future NATO Summit in Warsaw, against the backdrop of the strategic adjustment process carried out by the North Atlantic Alliance. The French military official also met with his Romanian counterpart, general Nicolae Ciuca, together with whom he approached the security development situation in the Black Sea area and the participation of Romanian military in theatres of operations.



    ROMANIAN ECONOMY – The French credit insurance company Coface has maintained the B country risk rating for Romania, which is indicative of an unstable macroeconomic environment, the companys 2015 macroeconomic Report says. “Despite the macroeconomic balance, the setback in the transition to the Euro and the compliance with the nominal convergence criteria, Romania is still vulnerable because of the structural character of domestic microeconomic imbalance, the Report shows. According to the Report, the factors of the imbalance are the very high level of the trade credit, the great interdependence between companies, the speedy interruption of the activity of many companies as compared to the recently registered companies and the high level of instruments that were refused upon payment. According to Coface, the strengths are the relatively large domestic market, qualified and cheap work force, a significance currency reserve and the relatively stable national currency as against the Euro, the public debt level below the EU average and a low energy dependence. Coface estimates a 4.2% economic growth for Romania this year.



    ADOPTIONS – The Commission for labour and social protection of the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday passed the draft law shortening the adoption time and simplifying the adoption procedures, so that a child could be adopted more quickly. To facilitate a better relationship between children and their new family, the Commission increased the accommodation leave granted to parents from 3 to 12 months. If within a year, parents failed to adopt a child, they are now given one more year to do it.



    TOURIST INDUSTRY – According to the National Institute for Statistics, 9.8 million tourists were accommodated in various units in Romania in 2015, by 17.2% more than in 2014. 77.4% of the total number of tourists were Romanian and 22.6% were foreign, the figures being similar to the ones in 2014. Three quarters of the foreign tourists came from Europe. The average stay of Romanian tourists was 2.5 days and that of foreign tourists was 2 days. 36.3% of the tourists stayed in hotels, 21.8% in villas and 20.4% in hostels.


    (Translated by Diana Vijeu and Ana-Maria Palcu)

  • January 19, 2016 UPDATE

    January 19, 2016 UPDATE

    WEATHER– After snowstorms at the weekend, Romania is facing a cold snap until Thursday, meteorologists say. On Wednesday, temperatures will drop to minus 25 degrees Celsius, whereas the highs of the day will not exceed plus 2 degrees Celsius. In another move, railroad traffic is further disrupted in the south and southeast of the country, the areas the most affected by heavy snowfalls and blizzard at the weekend. Several villages have been left without electricity.



    DIPLOMACY – Romanian Prime Minister, Dacian Ciolos, will pay a two-day official visit to Paris, as of Wednesday. He is due to meet President Francois Hollande, Prime Minister Manuel Valls, and the speakers of the two Chambers of the French Parliament, Gérard Larcher and Claude Bartolone, respectively. The talks will focus on the privileged relations between Romania and France, on stepping up the projects in the roadmap of the bilateral strategic partnership, on improving economic relations and strengthening contacts between the business communities, as well as important topics on the European and international agenda, such as terrorism, migration and the EU security policy. Other focal points of the talks will include Romanias Schengen accession, the forthcoming report of the European Commission under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, as well as cooperation as part of Bucharests preparations to take over the presidency of the EU Council. Ciolos will also meet with representatives of the Romanian community in France and with CEOs and managers of important French companies. France is the fifth largest foreign investor in Romania.



    SPECIAL PENSIONS – Romanias Constitutional Court on Wednesday will debate the notification submitted by the technocratic cabinet in Bucharest on the special pensions law for elected local officials. According to the government, the law adopted in December would run counter to several articles in the Constitution, by instating a special regime of privileges for certain elected local officials. Furthermore, the government contests the retroactive granting of special rights and draws attention to the lack of budget resources. Over 16,000 potential beneficiaries, mayors, deputy mayors, presidents and vice-presidents of County Councils, are to receive special pensions ranging from 350 to1,500 Euros.



    ECONOMY– Romania is the third EU member state to register, in November 2015, the most significant increase in the volume of construction works, as compared to the same period of 2014. According to the data released on Tuesday by the European Statistics Office, Eurostat, Romania registered an increase of 6.8%, being outclassed only by Slovakia and Sweden. In November 2015, the volume of construction works at EU level increased by 1.9%, on an average, Eurostat also shows.



    SPORTS – The Romanian player Alexandra Dulgheru (no. 61 WTA) has qualified to the second round of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, after defeating the Australian Storm Sanders (no. 355 WTA) 6-4, 6-2. Three other Romanian players lost their games in the first round. World no. 2 Simona Halep was surprisingly defeated by Chinas Shuai Zhang (133 WTA), Irina Begu (31 WTA) was outperformed by the Swedish Johanna Larsson (50 WTA), and Andreea Mitu (96 WTA) was defeated by the German Julia Gorges (45 WTA). Another Romanian player, Monica Niculescu (no 40 WTA), qualified on Monday to the second round of the tournament, and is to play against the Russian Elizaveta Kulicikova (no 109 WTA).


    (Translated and edited by Diana Vijeu)

  • January 13, 2016 UPDATE

    January 13, 2016 UPDATE

    ECONOMY– World Bank representatives are optimistic about Romanias economic performance but they warn however that some potential risks must not be neglected. A delegation of the World Bank, led by the Regional Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia, Cyril Muller, was received in Bucharest on Wednesday by Romanias President Klaus Iohannis. During the talks, the economic experts reiterated the WBs interest in further supporting economic and institutional reforms meant to boost Romanias development in the long run. These reforms are mainly destined for the sector of state enterprises and are also aimed at improving corporatist governance as well as at developing and modernising key sectors, such as transports. The meeting was held just days after the technocratic cabinet in Bucharest and the World Bank signed a new memorandum under which the World Bank grants technical assistance to Romanian public institutions until 2023. Thanks to a first memorandum, some 20 public institutions benefited from over 30 million Euro worth of funding, between 2012 and 2015.



    CHILD WELFARE – The Romanian Ambassador to Oslo has held talks at the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, where he has underlined the Norwegian authorities taking into custody five children of a mixed Romanian-Norwegian family, with residence in Norway, is a social case with a huge emotional and media impact. He made the proposal to the Norwegian side to start political cooperation with the relevant Romanian authorities in order to manage the case, the spokesperson for the Romanian Foreign Ministry, Raluca Lunculescu, announced on Wednesday. She added that law observance and the familys sensibility had been taken into consideration before starting any form of public communication on the case. Earlier, the Norwegian Embassy in Bucharest explained that an order of foster care placement is issued only when the child has been severely neglected, maltreated or abused. Rallies of support for Ruth and Marius Bodnariu have been staged in several cities across Romania and abroad. We recall that the five children of the family, aged between 4 months and 10 years, have been taken into custody by the Norwegian state, for reportedly having been disciplined by their parents. Their father, Marius Bodnariu, of Romanian descent, denounces the move, deeming it an abuse but he admitted to having applied small physical corrections on children. A joint delegation of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies and Senate will pay an official visit to Oslo next week for talks with representatives of the Norwegian Parliament on child protection laws, starting from the Bodnariu case. In turn, President Klaus Iohannis expressed his support for the efforts made by the Romanian Government to assure “the observance of human rights for the Romanian citizens, wherever they may be.



    DIPLOMACY– Romanian Foreign Minister, Lazar Comanescu, on Thursday and Friday will attend the informal meeting on foreign policy and security related issues, Snow Meeting, at the invitation of his counterpart, Linas Linkevicius. According to a communiqué issued by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the event will bring together decision-makers and experts in foreign policy and security from NATO and EU member states, high ranking officials of the two organisations and academics. Security developments in NATOs eastern and southern neighbourhood, as well as the alliances response to such developments are the focal points of Snow Meeting 2016. Other issues high on the agenda of the meeting are the prospects of the NATO Summit due in Warsaw in July and the stage of implementation of the decisions made at the previous summit held in Great Britain in September 2014.



    STRASBOURG – An employer has the right to monitor the employees online communications during work time, according to a ruling issued by the European Court of Human Rights, following a complaint made by a Romanian engineer who got fired in 2007 for having spent time chatting on the computer during work time. He brought the issue to the European court, saying that by having his private conversations intercepted, his right to privacy was violated. In turn, the employer justified the decision to lay out the engineer for not using the electronic mail for professional purposes, but to communicate with his brother and girl-friend, against the backdrop of internal rules and regulations which forbid employees to use the companys resources for personal use. The man who was made redundant initially brought the issue to a Romanian court, which issued an unfavourable ruling, so he took the case to the European court, to no avail. In the ruling it issued, the European Court of Human Rights says an employer does not commit an abuse when checking on its employees to see whether or not they accomplish their professional tasks during work hours. Also, the European Court of Human Rights considers that the first Romanian court kept a correct balance between the employers interests and the observance of private correspondence confidentiality, because only transcripts of the conversations attesting to the fact that the employee used the companys computer for his personal interest during work time, have been used in court, and the identity of other people involved in the conversations has not been disclosed.



    MOLDOVA– The President of the Republic of Moldova (a former Soviet state with a predominantly Romanian speaking population), Nicolae Timofti, on Wednesday announced he had rejected the proposal made by the Democratic Party for the position of Prime Minister, namely the controversial businessman Vlad Plahotniuc. Timofti called on the parliamentary majority to come up with a new candidacy and underlined that his rejection of Plahotniuc is based on Constitutional provisions and on rulings issued by the Constitutional Court, which stipulate that the nomination of people suspected of integrity-related issues for leading positions runs counter to the principles of the rule of law. A member of the Democratic Party and backed by a heterogeneous majority, ranging from pro-European Liberals to ex-communists, who are traditionally of pro-Russian orientation, Plahotniuc is described by his opponents as an oligarch who has repeatedly been accused of involvement in illegal activities which mar the image of the Republic of Moldova. If a new government does not get endorsement until January 29, the President will have to dissolve Parliament and call for snap elections.



    SPORTS – Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, WTAs no.2, on Thursday will meet Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova (WTAs no.25) in the semi-finals of the Sydney tournament, with 687,000 dollars prize money up for grabs. Halep has an overall 3-2 lead on the Russian player in the direct matches.


    (Translated and edited by Diana Vijeu)

  • Minimum Wages and Lower VAT

    Minimum Wages and Lower VAT

    In its last sit down for the year, the Romanian government raised the minimum wage to the equivalent of 276 Euro, a measure to come into effect on 1 May 2016. Trade unions and employer associations agreed on this decision, previously endorsed by the Social and Economic Council. The bill will have a major social impact, according to experts, raising the standard of living and reducing social inequality. Official data shows that no less than 1.1 million people will benefit, at least 40,000 of them state employees. Government spokesperson Dan Suciu said that this increase should be followed by additional measures, in order to prevent layoffs and a slowdown in business.



    Dan Suciu: “We do run this risk. We wanted to reduce risk in the first place, but we believe that in these intervening months in which businesses will take advantage of the new fiscal environment, coming into effect on January 1, they will be able to find the resources to integrate this salary raise without significant collateral damages.



    In addition to raising the minimum wage, another important fiscal measure for next year is the drop in the VAT rate from 24 to 20%. At the same time, starting on January 1st, the tax rate will drop from 9 to 5% for cinemas, museums, book deliveries, textbooks, newspapers and magazines, as well as for other sports and culture events. The VAT will stay at 9% in 2016 for pharmaceuticals, hotels, food, restaurants and catering, as well as for water supply. The drop in the VAT will lead to lower prices, at least in theory, in the first part of 2016, after 2015 has brought about negative inflation after a lower VAT was applied to food.



    This rate may also contribute to lower prices for gasoline and diesel, but this depends on foreign markets, to the extent that the state still applies fairly heavy excises, one of which being supposed to be scrapped in early 2017. The taxes charged by the Romanian state account for about half the domestic fuel price. 2016 also brings about a 5 to 6% drop in the price of electricity, a reduction in dividend tax to 5%, but also more expensive auto insurance and property taxes. In 2016, banks in Romania will have to report to the fiscal authorities, on a daily basis, the entities that open or close a bank account of any kind, as well as any significant activity related to safety deposit boxes.

  • December 24, 2015

    December 24, 2015

    OUTLOOK OF 2016 – 2016 will not be an austerity year for Romania, marked by redundancies, and the budget deficit in 2016 will be close to estimates, Romanian prime minister Dacian Ciolos, said on a TV station. Ciolos has however mentioned the necessity of implementing reforms in several institutions subordinated to or within the government, such as administration, transports, healthcare and education. These reforms are needed in order not to destabilise the country and economy in the long run, considering the social and fiscal relaxation measures taken by the previous government and by Parliament, Dacian Ciolos has underlined. Referring to Romanias relation with the EU, the prime minister said he would like Bucharest to have a more pro-active role at government level. Dacian Ciolos is due to pay three official visits to the EU member states in the first months of 2016, the first one, on January 7th, to Germany, at the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the following ones, to France and the Netherlands.



    CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS – Most Orthodox believers, Greek-Catholics and Catholics are today celebrating Christmas Eve, making preparations to mark Jesus Birth, known as the Nativity. Overnight, children in several regions of Romania, a country with a majority Orthodox population, went carolling from house to house, symbolizing the angels and shepherds who were the first to announce Jesus Birth. Also today, priests carrying Nativity Icons go from house to house, spreading the “Good News about the Birth of Jesus Christ.



    KING MIHAI-Romanias former sovereign, king Mihai the 1st, has sent a Christmas message to all Romanians. In his address, the former sovereign has referred to both the young generation, expressing his confidence in the future, and to the elderly, who are teaching a lesson of courage and dignity, according to king Mihai. The former sovereign has conveyed a message of encouragement to and appreciation for those working in hospitals, saving lives, as well as to the teaching staff. He has assured of his compassion all those who are in mourning and those who are worried about the health condition of their loved ones. King Mihai has also evoked the professionalism and commitment of Romanias soldiers, who are serving their country with honour, in all conditions, sometimes even with the cost of their lives.



    CHISHINAU-In the Republic of Moldova, a former Soviet state with a predominantly Romanian speaking population, prime minister designate, Ion Sturza, has secured the support of only one political party, the Liberal Democratic Party, in the effort to form a ruling coalition. According to Radio Chishinau, following Wednesdays talks, both the Liberal Party and Moldovas European Peoples Party havent made a decision yet on whether or not they will support the government. The leaders of the two parties have said they have common standpoints on the situation in the country, but think of different political sollutions; Ion Sturza says the best idea is to form a technocratic government, whereas the representatives of the Liberal Party and of Moldovas European Peoples Party believe the Republic of Moldova needs a government which should enjoy political support. The Democratic Party and the Communist Party have announced they will not vote for the new government, and the Socialists further support the dissolution of Parliament. Ion Sturza has announced he will have talks with representatives of civil society and international organisations as well as with the ambassadors of the western countries accredited to Chishinau. Sturza was designated prime minister on December 21, at the end of a year during which three prime ministers have been replaced, and still has two weeks available to convince Parliament to grant it a vote of investiture.



    EU FINANCIAL SUPPORT- The European Union has adopted a package of measures worth 112 million Euros, meant to support social and economic reforms and to offer protection to vulnerable groups in Tunisia, Syria and Israel. Financed through the European Neighbourhood Instrument, this package has taken the EUs financial support for its southern vicinity to one billion 600 thousand Euros. 72 million Euros of this package are destined to boost cooperation with Tunisia and Israel, whereas the rest of 40 million Euros are earmarked for Syria, to support vulnerable groups. This financial assistance package supports the implementation of key reforms, will improve living conditions and enhance the local populations resistance, said the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn.



    SYRIAN FILE– Syria has expressed its readiness to take part in the peace talks held in Geneva and hopes dialogue will help the country form a national unity government, Syrian foreign minister, Walid al Muallem, says in Beijing. The UN intends to initiate peace negotiations on Syria, in Geneva, in late January. Last Friday, the UN Security Council issued a resolution which approves an international road-map for the Syrian peace process, in an approach of unique unity among the big powers in the world on the conflict in Syria, FP reports. Syria, the country ravaged by a five-year civil war, is divided between the government forces, Jihadist groups, Kurdish fighters and the rest of non-Jihadist rebels. The conflict in Syria has left over 250,000 victims, more than 4 million people fled the country, and according to UN sources, over 60% of the population is currently living below the poverty line.


    (Translated and edited by Diana Vijeu)

  • December 15, 2015

    December 15, 2015

    COLECTIV — The death toll of the tragedy which struck the “Colectiv” nightclub in Bucharest on October 30, has risen to 62, after another person who sustained burn injuries died in a hospital in Bucharest. Some 40 people are still undergoing treatment in hospitals in Bucharest and abroad. The Romanian Health Ministry is now looking into the possibility of building a new burns hospital in Bucharest. In the same line, three burns centres will be built in Iasi (north-east), Targu Mures (centre) and Timisoara (west), under a program with the World Bank.



    COMMEMORATION — Ceremonies are being held today to mark 26 years since the flame of the Anti-Communist Revolution of December 1989 was kindled in the Western Romanian city of Timisoara. A symposium devoted to controversial aspects of the events that occurred in 1989 is scheduled for today. Attending the debates will be both historians and revolutionaries. Started on December 16, 1989, by the Timisoara inhabitants’ opposition to an abusive measure taken by the local authorities, the Revolution spread to the whole country at a fast pace. It culminated on December 22, when dictator Nicolae Ceausescu fled Bucharest, leaving power. Over 1,000 people died and some 3,400 others got injured between December 16 and 25, 1989. Romania was the only country in the former Eastern Bloc that violently overthrew the communist regime and executed its communist leaders.



    DIPLOMACY — US Secretary of State, John Kerry, is holding talks in Moscow today with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ways to put an end to the civil war that has been ravaging Syria for almost four years now. The US has announced that, on December 18, New York will be the venue for the future meeting of the International Syria Support Group, adding that it counts on Russia to bring Syrian president Bashar al-Assad at the negotiation table with the Syrian opposition. Over 250,000 people died and million others have fled civil war, which has been ravaging Syria since as early as 2011. News agencies underline that the US Secretary of State paid his latest visit to Moscow in May, for talks with president Vladimir Putin and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on the Ukraine crisis.



    REFUGEES — Multiculturalism continues to be an “illusion”, being conducive to the emergence of “parallel societies”, German chancellor, Angela Merkel told a meeting of her Christian Democratic Union party, yesterday. Merkel presented the guidelines of her policy on refugees, evoking “humanitarian imperatives” , but she accepted a compromise with the critical voices, by promising to reduce the number of asylum-seekers in Germany, Reuters and France Presse news agencies report. She also stood for the complete integration of non-EU citizens by their embracing of the German language and values. Thus, the German chancellor believes multiculturalism risks to generate political isolation, and the emergence of suburbs just like those on the outskirts of Paris, with alienated individuals and where the crime rate is very high. Some one million non-EU citizens arrived in Germany in 2015, against the backdrop of the flexible policies pursued by the government led by Angela Merkel.



    ECONOMY– Foreign direct investments in Romania increased by 270 million Euros in October, exceeding 2.8 billion Euros in the first ten months of the year. The figure has exceeded by almost 1.2 billion Euros the amount registered in the same period of 2014. According to the National Bank of Romania, capital participations, including the estimated reinvested net profit, stood at 2.7 billion Euros.



    TOURISM INDUSTRY–Some 1.75 million foreign tourists visited Romania in the first nine months of the year, spending here approximately one billion Euros. According to the National Institute for Statistics, most non-resident tourists came to Romania on business, they were followed by those who participated in congresses, conferences, fairs and exhibitions or attended courses and by holiday makers. Approximately half of the tourists who arrived in Romania in the first nine months of the year had their stays organised by a travel agency, and over 28% made their travel plans by themselves. The main means of transportation was the plane.



    SPORTS — The Romanian national women’s handball team on Wednesday will be taking on the host country’s national squad, in a fixture counting towards the quarter-finals of the World Handball Championship, underway in Denmark. In the three other fixtures at this stage of the competition, France is pitted against the Netherlands, Poland will be taking on Russia, while Norway will go against Montenegro. Whereas Poland grabbed a surprising win over Hungary in the eighth finals, Romania will have to earn at least the 7th position in the final rankings in order to make headway into next year’s pre-Olympic tournaments in Rio. Romania is the only country to have participated in all final tournaments of the World Championships, since 1957, boasting three medals: gold in 1962 and silver in 1973 and 2005, respectively.


    (Translated by: Diana Vijeu)

  • December 10, 2015 UPDATE

    December 10, 2015 UPDATE

    DEFENSE – Some 1,200 Romanian military and over 1,500 gendarmes
    will participate in NATO, EU, OSCE and UN missions abroad next year. The
    decision was made by Romania’s Supreme Defence Council, which convened on
    Thursday. Chaired by Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, this was the first
    meeting attended by the members of the Ciolos technocratic cabinet. On this
    occasion, the Guide to Romania’s National Defence Strategy for 2015-2019 and
    the Intelligence Strategy of the Romanian Intelligence Service for the same
    period have been approved. According to the Presidential Administration, the
    members of Romania’s Supreme Defence Council have also taken note of the fact
    that Romania’s relevant institutions applied the sanctions imposed at
    international level, between October 2014 and September 2015.




    BUDGET– Romania’s state and social security budget bills will be
    debated by the joint budget and finance parliamentary committees on Friday. The
    two drafts, adopted by the Government, have been submitted to Parliament this
    week, with the request to be debated and adopted as part of an emergency
    procedure. According to the timetable endorsed by Parliament, the final vote is
    expected in a plenary session of Romania’s Parliament next week.




    ECONOMY-Romania’s
    trade deficit deepened in the first ten months of the year by 1.5 billion euros,
    compared with the same period last year, to reach 6.4 billion euros. According
    to the National Institute for Statistics, exports accounted for almost 46
    billion euros, while imports stood at a little over 52 billion. Cars and
    transport equipment, as well as other types of manufactured goods held the
    biggest shares in Romania’s exports and imports in the first ten months of the
    year.




    CORRUPTION-The director
    of Evenimentul Zilei daily paper, Dan Andronic, has been detained by
    prosecutors as part of investigations into the illegal return of property
    confiscated by the communist regime to the rightful owners. A business man, an
    advisor to the former Liberal Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu and the
    director of a well-known real estate developer have also been detained as part
    of the same inquiry. The damage is estimated in this case at 136 million euros.
    A number of politicians, including the Liberal Ioan Oltean, have been investigated
    recently for involvement in cases of illegal return of property or illegal
    compensation granted by the National Authority for Property Restitution.




    AWARDS-
    Romania’s ambassador to Chishinau, Marius Lazurca, and the military attaché of
    the diplomatic mission, Dumitru Neacsu, have received the highest awards of the
    Army of the Republic of Moldova (a former Soviet state with a predominantly
    Romanian speaking population). The two awards, The Medal for Cooperation and
    The Medal for Strengthening the Brotherhood in Arms have been awarded to the
    Romanian officials by the Moldovan Defense Minister, Anatol
    Salaru. During the ceremony held at the Romanian Embassy in Chishinau, minister
    Salaru has thanked ambassador Lazurca for the efforts he has made to promote
    peace and democracy and to develop cooperation relations between the armies of
    the two neighbouring states. The Moldovan minister has also thanked the
    Romanian military attaché for his contribution to boosting Moldova’s defence
    capabilities. Ambassador Lazurca has said Romania has been and will further be
    a strategic partner of the Republic of Moldova.


    NOBEL PRIZE AWARD CEREMONY-     Stockholm on Thursday hosted the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. The event marked 119 years since the death of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite and the initiator of the most prestigious annual international prizes, that were first awarded in 1901. The Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel are traditionally awarded in Stockholm, whereas the Peace Prize is offered in Oslo, Norway. This year, the most highly acclaimed international prizes have been awarded to scientists and physicians, for neutrino science and for discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites, respectively. The only individual awards were those for literature and economy, which went to Belarussian author Svetlana Alexievich and to British professor, Angus Deaton, respectively. The Nobel Prize for economy is financed by the Sveriges Riksbank, whereas the others are granted by the Nobel Foundation. Each Nobel Prize is about 950,000 US dollars.

    (translated by Diana Vijeu)

  • November 22, 2015 UPDATE

    November 22, 2015 UPDATE

    RESUMPTION OF PAYMENTS-The European Commission has unblocked the Regional Operational Program and the reimbursement of European funds will start in the near future, Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos said on Radio Romania, on Sunday. He explained that, by the end of the year, the absorption rate of structural funds might reach 70%, for the 2007-2013 budget exercise. As regards the reform of the administration, Ciolos said he would lay emphasis on the principles of transparency and integrity. The integrity criteria, that have already been signed by the members of the new cabinet, will have to be assumed by all public administration employees. The Prime Minister said Romania needs a functional system so that corruption and bribe no longer permeate the administration.



    STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP — Romanian State Secretary for Strategic Affairs, Daniel Ionita, and the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Hoyt Yee, will co-chair in Bucharest on Monday, the fourth meeting of the Task Force for the implementation of the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the US. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the Romanian and US officials will assess the stage of bilateral cooperation and will also discuss objectives, action lines and co-operation priorities for the ensuing period of time. The Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the US was adopted, at the highest level, in September 2011. It is the first bilateral political document which validates, in writing, the Strategic Partnership between the two countries and includes key domains of bilateral cooperation.



    COLECTIV FIRE VICTIM – One of the people who sustained burn injuries in the Colectiv nightclub fire died on Sunday in Vienna, where he was undergoing treatment. Thus, the death toll has risen to 60. 26 people were killed by the deadly fire that devastated Colectiv on October 30, and a 27th person died on the way to hospital. 33 other people died within the 3 ensuing weeks. 150 other people were injured and admitted to hospitals in Bucharest. 39 of them were taken to foreign hospitals, but 11 passed away, of whom 3 in the UK, one in Israel, two in the Netherlands, one en route to Switzerland, one in France, two in Germany and one in Austria. 40 injured people, of whom 10 in critical or severe condition, are still hospitalised in Bucharest.



    TERROR ALERT– The Belgian authorities are on alert, for fear of possible attacks. Prime Minister Charles Michel has said there is credible information on the risk of attacks similar to those in Paris. On Sunday, Brussels was on lockdown, over serious threat, with the subway system, shopping centres, cinema halls, museums, restaurants and cafes closed. Stations and airports were guarded by heavily- armed joint police- army patrols. Military vehicles patrolled the streets of Brussels, while the security forces continue the manhunt for key suspect and Paris fugitive, Salah Abdeslam, who is believed to hide in the Brussels region, trying to find the opportunity to leave for Syria.



    DIPLOMACY— US Secretary of State, John Kerry, is currently on a three-day visit to the Middle East. The agenda of the talks held in Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah (the West Bank) covers such issues as the situation in Syria, laying emphasis on the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation and the recent Israeli-Palestinian wave of violence. In the wake of the Paris attacks, the US tries to consolidate militarily the international coalition against the Islamic State, FP reports.



    ECONOMY— The total value of Romania’s imports in 2014 exceeded 58 billion Euro, registering a 5.8% increase as compared to the previous year. Data made public by the National Institute for Statistics show 75.4% of the imported goods came from EU member states, particularly from Germany, Italy and Hungary. As compared to 2013, China outclassed the Russian Federation, in terms of the volume of imports made by Romania. According to the National Institute for Statistics, in 2014 Romania fostered trading relations with 212 countries.



    BOOK FAIR-The “Gaudeamus” International Book Fair, organised by Radio Romania in Bucharest, came to a close on Sunday. Since it opened its doors, on November 18, the fair hosted 700 events and the stands of over 300 publishing houses. The honorary guest of this year’s edition was the Group of Francophone Embassies, Delegations and Institutions in Romania.



    TENNIS– The pair made up of Romanian Horia Tecau and Dutch Jean-Julien Rojer on Sunday won the men’s doubles final of the WTA Tournament in London. In the last match of the competition, Tecau and Rojer defeated the pair Florin Mergea Romania)- Rohan Bopanna (India), 6/4, 6/3. It was for the first time in history that Romania had two representatives in this tournament with 7 million dollars in prize money up for grabs, which brought together the best 8 players of the 2015 season as well as the best men’s doubles pairs.

  • November 22, 2015

    November 22, 2015

    UPDATE 2:(18:50) The pair made up of Romanian Horia Tecau and Dutch
    Jean-Julien Rojer on Sunday won the men’s doubles final of the WTA Tournament
    in London. In the last match of the competition, Tecau and Rojer defeated the
    pair Florin Mergea Romania)- Rohan Bopanna (India), 6/4, 6/3. It was for the
    first time in history that Romania had two representatives in this tournament
    with 7 million dollars in prize money up for grabs, which brought together the
    best 8 players of the 2015 season as well as the best men’s doubles pairs.


    UPDATE 1 : (14:17): COLECTIV FIRE VICTIM – One of the people who sustained burn injuries in the
    Colectiv nightclub fire died on Sunday in Vienna, where he was undergoing
    treatment. Thus, the death toll has
    risen to 60. 26 people were killed by the deadly fire that devastated Colectiv
    on October 30, and a 27th person died on the way to hospital. 33 other people died within the 3 ensuing
    weeks. 150 other people were injured and admitted to hospitals in Bucharest. 39
    of them were taken to foreign hospitals, but 11 passed away, of whom 3 in the
    UK, one in Israel, two in the Netherlands, one en route to Switzerland, one in
    France, two in Germany and one in Austria. 40 injured people, of whom 10 in
    critical or severe condition, are still hospitalised in Bucharest.

    RESUMPTION OF PAYMENTS-The European Commission has unblocked the Regional Operational Program and the reimbursement of European funds will start in the near future, Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos has said on Radio Romania, earlier today. He has explained that, by the end of the year, the absorption rate of structural funds might reach 70%, for the 2007-2013 budget exercise. As regards the reform of the administration, Ciolos has said he will lay emphasis on the principles of transparency and integrity. The integrity criteria, that have already been signed by the members of the new cabinet, will have to be assumed by all public administration employees. The Prime Minister has said Romania needs a functional system so that corruption and bribe no longer permeate the administration.



    STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP – Romanian State Secretary for Strategic Affairs, Daniel Ionita, and the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Hoyt Yee, will co-chair in Bucharest on Monday, the fourth meeting of the Task Force for the implementation of the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the US. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the Romanian and US officials will assess the stage of bilateral cooperation and will also discuss objectives, action lines and co-operation priorities for the ensuing period of time. The Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the US was adopted, at the highest level, in September 2011. It is the first bilateral political document which validates, in writing, the Strategic Partnership between the two countries and includes key domains of bilateral cooperation.



    TERROR ALERT– The Belgian line authorities maintain the highest alert level in Brussels, for fear of possible attacks. Prime Minister Charles Michel has said there is credible information on the risk of attacks similar to those in Paris. Brussels remains on lockdown, over serious threat, with the subway system, shopping centres, cinema halls, museums, restaurants and cafes closed. Stations and airports are guarded by heavily- armed joint police- army patrols. Military vehicles are patrolling the streets of Brussels, while the security forces continue the manhunt for key suspect and Paris fugitive, Salah Abdeslam, who is believed to hide in the Brussels region, trying to find the opportunity to leave for Syria.



    DIPLOMACY– US Secretary of
    State, John Kerry, is currently on a three-day visit to the Middle East. The
    agenda of the talks held in Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah (the
    West Bank) covers such issues as the situation in Syria, laying emphasis on the
    fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation and the recent
    Israeli-Palestinian wave of violence. In the wake of the Paris attacks, the US
    tries to consolidate militarily the international coalition against the Islamic
    State, FP reports.



    SANCTIONS– Western leaders meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit held in Turkey last week, have agreed on a 6 month extension, by July 2016, of the sanctions imposed on Russia for the actions it had taken in Ukraine. According to Reuters, the confidential decision was made public by a high level European diplomat. The measure is taken against the backdrop of appeals for tighter cooperation with Russian president Vladimir Putin against the Islamic State Jihadist group, following the November 13 attacks in Paris, which made over 130 victims.



    ECONOMY– The total value of Romanias imports in 2014 exceeded 58 billion Euro, registering a 5.8% increase as compared to the previous year. Data made public by the National Institute for Statistics show 75.4% of the imported goods came from EU member states, particularly from Germany, Italy and Hungary. As compared to 2013, China outclassed the Russian Federation, in terms of the volume of imports made by Romania. According to the National Institute for Statistics, in 2014 Romania fostered trading relations with 212 countries.



    BOOK FAIR-The “Gaudeamus International Book Fair, organised by Radio Romania in Bucharest, will come to a close today, when the winners of the Gaudeamus Prize Draw are made public. Over 100 events are scheduled to take place today, among which the Prizes of the Salon of Inventions and Scientific Creation for Youth as well as the Goncourt Prize, offered following the publics vote, by the French Institute in Romania.



    TENNIS– Two Romanian tennis players will meet in the mens doubles final of the ATP Tournament in London. The pair made up of Romanian Florin Mergea and Indian Rohan Bopanna will face Romanian Horia Tecau and Dutch Jean-Julien Rojer. It is for the first time that Romania has two representatives in this tournament, with 7 million dollars in prize money up for grabs, and which brought together the best 8 players of the 2015 season as well as the best mens pairs playing in the doubles.