20.11.2013
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news
Ştefan Stoica, 20.11.2013, 13:45
Romania is the staunchest supporter for Moldova’s bid to join the European Union, according to the Romanian Foreign Minister, Titus Corlatean, speaking during the meeting he had with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti. The foreign minister also met with Prime Minister Iurie Leanca. The two discussed priority bilateral projects. Corlatean was in Chisinau in preview of the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, where Moldova will sign with the European Union association and free trade agreements.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will be next week on a visit to Romania to discuss with officials in Bucharest enhancing bilateral relations. The Chinese official will also be attending the China- CEE Economic and Trade Forum taking place on 26 November in Bucharest. The forum will be attended by around 1,000 representatives of the private, public and state sector from numerous European countries from the center and east of the union.
Romanian Minister of Health Eugen Nicolaescu continues on Wednesday talks with union leaders in health care. Health care workers demand at least 6% of the GDP for health, better wages and improved technical conditions across the board. The negotiations occur after the SANITAS union federation announced they would go on a warning strike on the 25th of the month, and on general strike on the 28th, expecting 13,000 healthcare workers to participate.
The government in Bucharest debates on Wednesday the bill regulating the sale and purchase of farmland by natural persons. The present version of the bill eliminates the condition that the buyer must have experience in farming, as well as the cap of 100 hectares on the amount that can be owned. However, it does preserve the right of preemption for Romanian citizens. The market for farmland will be liberalized on 1 January 2014, opening it up to foreign citizens. At present, foreign nationals planning on buying land in Romania also have to set up a company.
Starting on Wednesday, Bucharest hosts the 20th edition of the Gaudeamus Books of Learning International Fair, the most important in Eastern Europe, ending Sunday. The event is organized by the Romanian Broadcasting Corporation, which celebrates 85 years of broadcast in Romania. The fair will consist of over 600 publishing and exhibition events, with around 400 participants. The guest of honor this year is the Group of Northern Countries, formed by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Romanian Deputy PM Liviu Dragnea said that trade between Romania and Iraq doubled over the last two years, and that there are numerous possibilities of collaboration in various economic areas. He made the statement during his talks with his Iraqi counterpart, Saleh Mohamed al-Mutlaq, visiting Romania with several other Iraqi officials. In his turn, the Iraqi deputy premier said that the two countries enjoy excellent relations, quoting the many joint projects run over half a decade. The Iraqi official also has scheduled a meeting with the chairman of the lower chamber of the Romanian Parliament, Valeriu Zgonea.
