27 October, 2016

NATO Secretary General emphasizes Romania's role; Radio-TV fee removal criticized

Bogdan Matei, 27.10.2016, 11:59

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke in Brussels at the Alliance meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, saying that several countries would contribute to strengthening NATOs eastern flank against Russian threats. He specified that 13 countries would take part in military concentrations in Poland and the Baltic states, while six countries would contribute with land, sea and air forces in the Black Sea region. Also under discussion at the meeting was the multinational brigade to be hosted and led by Romania. The UK announced it would send Typhoon fighter jets to Romania for patrol missions. Bucharest was represented by its defense minister, Mihnea Motoc.

On Wednesday, President Klaus Iohannis and PM Dacian Ciolos criticized the bill passed by Parliament removing over 100 non-fiscal fees, including the radio and TV fees. The bill introduced by the Social Democrats passed the lower chamber of Parliament a day before, and awaits endorsement by the head of state. However, the latter believes that, in order to develop a predictable Romania, investors need to know how taxation would evolve in the next 10 years. Klaus Iohannis believes that it is wrong to change the architecture of taxation ahead of the Parliament elections of 11 December, with no consultation with businesses, trade unions and civil society. Speaking of the radio and TV tax, the president said that this issue cannot be settled within the span of a week and without long term evaluation and planning. Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos said he is considering challenging the bill in Constitutional Court.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed on Wednesday the decree appointing Dragos Cristian Dinu Minister of European Funds. According to the presidency, the new minister will be sworn in the same day. Dinu, formerly an undersecretary with the ministry, replaces Cristian Ghinea, who resigned in order to be able to run for parliamentary elections in December.

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, 4th seeded in the WTA, was defeated on Wednesday in two sets by Slovakian player Dominika Cibulkova, 8th seeded, in the Red Group of the 2016 WTA Finals in Singapore. In the other game in the group, world leader Angelique Kerber of Germany plays against 7th seeded Madison Keys of the US. The German player needs only a single set to qualify for the semifinals, considering she won the first two encounters. In the White Group, Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, 6th seeded, was defeated by Agnieszka Radvanska, 3rd seeded, who was the winner last year. Also part of this group, Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, 9th seeded, defeated Czech player Karolina Pliskova, 5th seeded. The Russian player has already two victories under her belt, and is technically qualified for the semifinals already.

The summit dedicated to the negotiation of CETA, the EU- Canada free trade agreement, scheduled for Wednesday in Brussels, has been canceled, without a rescheduled date, according to European Union sources, quoted by AFP. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had canceled his trip to Brussels ahead of the announcement. The agreement was blocked by the Belgian Walloon region. The Canadian government said it is ready to sign the agreement as soon as Europe is ready. Romania said it would agree to the accord as soon as Canada removes visa requirements for Romanian citizens traveling to that country.