December 29, 2022 UPDATE
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 29.12.2022, 19:50
ENERGY The government of Romania passed a bill lifting the obligation for owners of more than one house to submit sworn statements in order to benefit from energy price caps. On the other hand, the government also decided that the 10 Eurocent governmental discount on fuel prices will no longer be applied as of January 1, 2023. PM Nicolae Ciucă promised that the authorities are prepared to reintroduce this measure in the future, should prices go up beyond citizens spending power.
FOREIGN POLICY In 2023, Romanias foreign ministry will continue to give special attention to Romanias Schengen accession and to joining the Organisation for Cooperation and Economic Development (OCDE). The announcement was made by the foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu in a Report on Romanias diplomatic activity released on Thursday. As far as 2022 is concerned, the Report says the year was marked at both a regional and a global level by the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The report also covers the outcomes of the NATO Summit in Madrid in June 2022, and Bucharests successful hosting of the meeting of NATO foreign ministers and of the Munich Leaders Meeting in November 2022.
GAS – A month into the winter season, Romania’s gas deposits are 82% full and representatives of Depogaz, the country’s main gas storage operator say there will be no problems irrespective of how cold it gets. The head of Depogaz, Vasile Carstea, said that irrespective of temperatures, national production and the quantity already stored cover the demand. He explained that consumption in Romania, in the coldest day, is 54 million cubic meters of gas per day and this quantity can be supplied because national output is 26-27 million cubic meters of gas while 32-33 million cubic meters can be taken out daily from the deposits.
UKRAINE – Ukraine suffered massive attacks involving Russian missiles on Thursday morning in several cities including the capital Kyiv, the Ukrainian Army and Presidency announced. Air raid alerts sounded across the country. According to Ukraines head of intelligence services, the war is currently at a deadlock, as neither Ukraine nor Russia are able to make significant progress. In an interview to the BBC, Kyrylo Budanov said Russia was at a dead end, suffering significant losses, but he admitted that Ukraine lacks the resources to move forward. He added that Kyiv was waiting for more advanced weapons. Ever since October, Russia has been regularly hitting Ukraines energy and other critical infrastructure. Kremlin warned that there will be no New Year ceasefire in Ukraine.
RECYCLE – Producers, importers and sellers of beverages can register, as of Thursday, in the data base of the Deposit-Return System (DRS), one of the most important circular economy projects in Romania. This mechanism allows citizens to return to stores, as of December 2023, glass, plastic or metal packaging, and receive the deposit paid when purchasing the product. Business operators that do not register in the data base, will no longer be allowed to sell their products on Romania’s territory and risk being fined with 4000 to 8000 euros. The DRS system has proven successful in numerous countries across the world, including 12 in Europe. The purpose of the DRS is to limit the impact of packaging on the environment and to reduce their final disposal by introducing new requirements that optimize sustainable management.
SOLIDARITY In the Republic of Moldova, neighboring both Romania and Ukraine, lights will be turned off in the governments and other public buildings, in solidarity with the millions of people in Ukraine left without electricity, water supply and heating. Last week, the Rome Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House, the European Parliament and the Wembley went dark in solidarity with Ukraine. In Bucharest, the City Hall discontinued holiday lighting for one hour during the winter solstice night. (EE)
