The European Commission has asked the Council to open the excessive deficit procedure against Romania
The European Commission has today proposed to the European Council to open an excessive deficit procedure against Romania and has recommended to the authorities in Bucharest to establish a credible and sustainable adjustment path in order to end the excessive deficit by 2022 at the latest, according to a statement from Brussels. The next step would be that the Council approves the reccomentation. According to the Commission’s winter forecasts, Romania’s government deficit reached 4% of GDP in 2019. For this year, a 4.9% deficit level is estimated, and 6,9% in 2021 6.9%, mainly due to the increase in pensions. According European Union Treaty, the budget deficit should not exceed 3% of GDP. In a video message posted on the Internet, the current Minister of Finance, Prime Minister-designate Florin Cîțu, has said today that Romania already has a sustainable and credible plan to reduce the deficit, and that the European Commission accepted this plan after the last three months of negotiations.
President Klaus Iohannis was awarded an important prize for his contribution to the project of a united Europe
The Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, has received one of the most important awards for contributions to the project of a united and peaceful Europe. The leader of the European People’s Party, Donald Tusk, who spoke during the award-handing ceremony at Cotroceni Palace, has revealed that he suggested to President Iohannis to become his successor at the helm of the European Council. President Klaus Iohannis said that the „Coudenhove-Kalergi” award honors him and brings him joy at the same time. It is also a recognition of Romania’s role in the European Union as an active promoter of the European project Mr. Iohannis has said, adding that his country will remain fully dedicated to this project.
Klaus Iohannis: We have the responsibility today to give the European project a new dynamic, confidence and vision. It is up to us whether we will be able to preserve what we have achieved together through decades of joint action. It is important for the European Union to maintain its fundamental values and principles unaltered and to identify concrete ways to be closer to its citizens.
The former President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, recalled that he proposed last year to President Klaus Iohannis to be his successor.
Donald Tusk: Our discussion is honest and unobtrusive. There’s no one in my office except us. I tell him with great certainty that he would make an amazing President of the European Council. He himself, President Iohannis, smiles cordially, thanks me for this proposal and after a while, he adds „You know what, Donald? I still have work to do in Romania, so please do not consider my candidacy”.
The „Coudenhove-Kalergi” prize is awarded every two years to a personality who has contributed through outstanding achievements to the promotion of freedom and unity on the European continent.
New cases of coronavirus infection have been confirmed in Romania
A fifth case of infection with the new coronavirus has been confirmed in Romania, the Health Minister, Victor Costache, has announced on Wednesday. The patient is a 16-year-old boy in the family of the 47-year-old man from Timisoara, who also tested positive yesterday. The young man will be taken to the hospital. Currently, there are two more patients diagnosed with COVID 19: a woman from Timis and a man from Maramures.
Mădălina Brotăcel, RADOR
