September 27, 2023
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 27.09.2023, 13:57
TALKS – Romania’s Defence General Staff held talks, via conference call, with representatives of the local public authorities in south-eastern Romania, in the context of the Russian Federation’s attacks on the Ukrainian ports on the Danube. According to a Defence Ministry release, the talks focused on improving inter-institutional coordination. Also discussed was the security situation and topics related to preparing the population, economy and territory for defense and also legal responsibilities of various institutions in the national defense system, the source also reads.
SCHENGEN – Romania expects and deserves a positive decision during the Spanish presidency of the EU Council regarding the Schengen enlargement, the President of the European Parliament (EP), Roberta Metsola, said in Brussels. She was optimistic about the entry of Romania and Bulgaria into the free movement area. The accession of the two countries was blocked by Austria and the Netherlands, at the Justice and Home Affairs Council last December, for alledged insufficient control of migrant flows. In the case of Romania, Austria was the only country against the accession.
BOOKS – In the last weekend of September, the Night of Libraries campaign is held in all public libraries in Romania, a national cultural event that has reached its 14th edition. Initiated by the National Association of Librarians and Public Libraries in Romania (ANBPR), the campaign aims to promote library collections and services, the culture of information and reading. The event takes place simultaneously in libraries in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The motto of this edition is “Library – Sound – Image – Color”.
BANKS — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has revised downwards the estimations regarding the evolution of the Romanian economy in 2023 and 2024, according to a report made public today by the international financial institution. Thus, Romania’s GDP is likely to advance only 1.8% this year, from the 2.5% estimated in May. Also, the Romanian economy is expected to go up 3.2% next year, as compared to 3.5% estimated in May, the report also reads.
BUDGET — The Bucharest Government assumed responsibility in Parliament for the package of fiscal measures aimed at reducing the budget deficit. The opposition can file a no-confidence motion within three days of the presentation of the bill in Parliament. Among other provisions, the bill eliminates a number of tax reliefs for IT and agriculture workers and introduces a turnover tax for big companies and banks. The Economic and Social Committee, an independent body, has warned that covering the budget deficit through higher taxes for the private sector may have adverse effects. (EE)
