News review of the day – March 4th

Chief Prosecutor of Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate nominated for a new mandate

Justice Minister Raluca Prună has nominated Laura Codruţa Kövesi, the acting Chief Prosecutor of Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), for a new mandate and sent the proposal to the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM). The CSM spokesperson Dana Pantazi, quoted by Radio Romania, confirmed the arrival of this nomination on February 29th. The CSM Section for Prosectors is going to establish a schedule to give its opinion on the proposal.

Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Creţu continued her visit to Bucharest

The „Less Developed Regions” project, launched yesterday in Romania by the European Commission was one of the subjects discussed today by President Klaus Iohannis and Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Creţu.

The EC intends to support those regions with a GDP under 50% of the EU average to identify and overcome setbacks in accessing and using European funds. According to a press release, the two officials also dicussed about reviewing assessment mechanisms and reviving the European funds absorption process as well as the importance of financing domains like education and healthcare.

The Commissioner has visited today the „C.I. Parhon” Endocrinology Institute where five new laboratories have been set up using European money.

Commissioner Corina Creţu: I think it is very important to invest in medical research. Research and development, innovation are top priorities for the European Commission as well. Parhon Institute is an example for the way they managed to streamline and develop the reasearch network which is so essential for the medical sector.

Dragoş Doroş is the new chief of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF)

Dragoş Doroş took over his duties as new chief of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration following the publication in the Official Journal of Romania of the nomination decree signed by PM Dacian Cioloş. Dragoş Doroş is a fiscal law specialist who activated mainly in the private sector. He was however Secretary of State in the Finance Ministry for a short period during Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu Cabinet. The position has been vacant since early February when the Prime Minister dismissed the chief of ANAF at the time, Gelu Ştefan Diaconu, targeted by a corruption investigation concerning European funds, Radio Romania reported.

Romania to join six other countries in building „Via Carpatia” roadway

Romania will join six other Eastern European countries into an infrastructure project aiming to connect Lithuania and Greece by a roadway called „Via Carpatia”. Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Ukraine and Turkey have agreed and signed a declaration in this respect, according to the Polish Infrastructure Minister. The official did not mention any size of the costs of the project neither a deadline to launch the project, but the seven countries hope to obtain EU financing. The initiative fits the ambitions of the new Conservative Cabinet in Poland which target a boost of regional cooperation in between the Baltic and the Adriatic Sea meant to counterbalance the weight of Western Europe – Radio Romania reported.

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