First court hearing for Prime Minister’s trial set on September 21st
Magistrates of Romania’s Supreme Court have set September 21st as the first hearing in the trial in which Prime Minister Victor Ponta will stand for corruption charges.Prime Minister Victor Ponta has been indicted on Thursday by anti-graft prosecutors in the so-called „Rovinari-Turceni” file, on charges of forgery, complicity to tax evasion and money-laundering regarding contracts of legal assistance he provided as a lawyer. Senator Dan Şova and two former directors of Turceni and Rovinari energy companies have also been indicted in the same file.
President Klaus Iohannis to meet the US Vice President Joe Biden
President Klaus Iohannis is going to meet the US Vice President Joe Biden, according to a press release by the Presidency. The bilateral meeting will take place next week in the United States during the 70th United Nations reunion which President Iohannis is going to attend, Radio Romania reported.
Romania`s newly-appointed ambassador to the United States presented his credentials
Romania’s newly-appointed ambassador to the United States George Maior presented his letters of credence to the US President Barack Obama during a White House ceremony. The Romanian diplomat has stated that our country has made a firm commitment to improve the business environment which is essential to attract American investors and increase trade exchange. George Maior declared that the Strategic Partnership between the two countries represents a pillar for Romania’s foreign and security policy and praised the support offered by the United States as an element for democratization and abidance of human rights and rule of law.
Guillermo Tolosa: Romania has potential to economically outgrow Greece, the Czech Republic and Portugal
The IMF resident representative Guillermo Tolosa considers that Romania stands a good chance to outgrow economies of countries like Greece, the Czech Republic or Portugal over the next three years should it have fiscal stability and attract investors, mainly in infrastructure. The IMF representative has confirmed recent statements made by PM Victor Ponta regarding Romania’s reimbursement to the IMF.
Guillermo Tolosa: Romania has almost completely paid off its debt. According to the agreement, the Central Bank and the Cabinet will have slightly different payment schedules. The Executive has already paid off the debt whilst the Central Bank will finish payments in January 2016, so there are only three installments left.
Guillermo Tolosa attended a debate hosted by the Central Bank where he stated that Romania should first apply for a new agreement with the IMF if it is desired and the new conditions will be analyzed. Earlier this month, the Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici announced that the Cabinet intends to start talks for a new assistance agreement with the IMF which is not to include new loans.
Romanians are the least aware of their rights as European citizens
Romanians are the least aware of their rights as European citizens, especially those concerning work regulations in another EU country. Most people also don’t know which are the institutions they should address in case their rights are being breached. For this reason, a new website containing useful information has been launched by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux: www.eurodrepturi.anbcc.ro. The website also contains information about activity of eurodeputies and decisions made in Brussels.
Bucharest Days celebrated this week-end
This week-end, tourists and residents of Bucharest are invited to celebrate „Bucharest Days” which mark the city’s 556th anniversary. The free-entrance events organized by the City Hall include concerts, shows and workshops and will take place in the Constitution Square, Bucharest’s Old Town, Cişmigiu and Herăstrău Parks and George Enescu Square.
Bianca Ioniţă
