President Klaus Iohannis nominates new Intelligence chief
President Klaus Iohannis has announced earlier this evening that Liberal MP Eduard Raul Hellvig is his nomination as head of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI). The President discussed the nomination with Speakers of the two chambers of the Parliament and leaders of parliamentary parties. The head of state motivated his choice by saying that SRI needed to regain a calm atmosphere in order to pursue the significant progress it registered lately.
The President pointed out that he is going to appoint a new chief for the Foreign Intelligence Service as well „when the time is right”.
Romanian officials salute the endorsement of a new Cabinet in Moldova
Romania’s Foreign Ministry has taken note of the endorsement of the new Cabinet in Chisinau, based on a program whose main goals are the political association and economic integration within the European Union. In a press release, the FM in Bucharest expresses its expectations that the new government pursue all efforts to consolidate the pro-European path of the neighboring country. Prime Minister Victor Ponta has also saluted the endorsement of the government led by his counterpart Chiril Gaburici and pointed out, in a Facebook post, that he is hoping for an at-least as-good co-operation as he had with Iurie Leanca’s Cabinet for the sake of the citizens on both sides of Prut River.
Foreign Ministers of Romania and Bulgaria held talks in Bucharest on pending matters
Romania’s Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu and his Bulgarian counterpart Daniel Mitov have agreed today in Bucharest to launch expert-level talks regarding legal dispute on maritime border between Romania and Bulgaria. A conclusion will be presented during a joint Cabinet meeting this spring. Some other important subjects have also been approached.
FM Bogdan Aurescu: We have stressed out the importance of a timely completion of the gas interconnector pipeline between Romania and Bulgaria but we have also approached the Vertical Corridor project, connecting the gas grids of Bulgaria, Romania and Greece, which both our countries support. Another subject was the Black Sea Synergy which is an older project that can be revived and we discussed ways to promote it within the European Union.
FM Bogdan Aurescu added that Romania and Bulgaria intend to co-operate within NATO’s joint force by an exchange of military officers.
PM Victor Ponta met with heads of mission and ambassadors of Arab countries in Bucharest
Prime Minister Victor Ponta has met today with heads of mission and ambassadors of Arab countries in Bucharest, among which: Morocco, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Sudan. The chief of the Romanian Cabinet has showed, in a Facebook post, that talks have been consistent, open ones, with a focus on boosting political dialogue and economic relations. Romania will present its business opportunities to Arab partners during a series of events to be organized in this respect. The discussions have revealed a high interest for the Romanian academic system and a similar interest of Romanian citizens to visit Arab countries, the message concludes.
Parliamentary memorandum of understanding signed in Jerusalem between Romania and Israel
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Valeriu Zgonea has started an official visit to Israel today on the invitation launched by the Chairman of the Knesset, the Parliament in Jerusalem. Following a first round of talks and the signing of a memorandum for parliamentary co-operation, Valeriu Zgonea has made a statement on the importance of the bilateral relations between Israel and Romania:
Speaker Valeriu Zgonea: The memorandum of understanding has given a new impulse to the development of relations between our parliaments and it is meant to consolidate our friendship. I consider the State of Israel as the best friend we have in this region and one of the best in international institutions, a friend that we intend to maintain. Such friendship can only be preserved if we demonstrate we can act shoulder to shoulder whenever the situation calls for it.
The Romanian Speaker is also going to be received by President Reuven Rivlin at the official residence in Jerusalem, according to Radio Romania’s permanent correspondent to Israel.
Draft of a new Fiscal Code launched into public debate
The Government has launched into public debate the draft of a new Fiscal Code which foresees a significant drop in tax rates. Starting next year, the VAT level should go down by 4 percent – from 24 to 20 – and, by 2019, the flat tax should reach 14 percent against the current 16 percent. On the other hand, all Romanians with an income would need to pay compulsory social and health insurance contributions. However, the health insurance rate is likely to be reduced over the next two years. The Cabinet is aiming to support economic growth and to reduce tax avoidance by these measures. More than 600 amendments of the current Fiscal Code are comprised into the new project which will be open for public debate for one month. Nevertheless, the opposition considers the Social Democrats’ project is not believable as they have only proved to suffocate the business environment so far, according to the Liberals.
New judge sworn in at Romania’s Constitutional Court
The new judge appointed at Romania’s Constitutional Court, Simona Maya Teodoroiu, has been sworn in today in the presence of President Klaus Iohannis. The head of state considers the work of the magistrates at the Constitutional Court essential for strengthening democracy and encouraged them to pursue with determination and responsibility on this path, Radio Romania reported.
First female general in the Romanian Army appointed chief of National Company for Military Technique
The first female general in the Romanian Army, Floarea Şerban, has been appointed chief of Romarm – The National Company for Military Technique, according to a press release by the Ministry of Economy. The relevant minister Mihai Tudose has pointed out at the swearing-in ceremony that the ministry will contribute to implement all those projects meant to revive the company. Romarm is a state-owned company whose export contracts turnover last year was worth 260 million dollars. Floarea Şerban has been appointed following the arrest of the former chief Dan Tache last week, for abuse of office.
World Education Fair opens in Bucharest
The World Education Fair 2015 opens in Bucharest this Saturday for two days and students interested in offers presented by dozens of foreign universities will be able to find out details about their academic programs. 40 institutions from the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, but also Lichtenstein and even New Zealand will provide information for a large number of domains. Architecture design, international relations, business, economy and technical studies seem to be the ones preferred by Romanian students. The World Education Fair in Romania is the only event dedicated solely to education which also provides counselling from IntegralEdu, a company representing 250 top academic institutions in Europe and the United States.
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