January 31, 2025
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 31.01.2025, 13:55
Budget. The Romanian government is analysing the state budget and the social security budget for 2025. The two bills comply with the deficit target of 7% of GDP, based on an economic growth forecast of 2.5% and an increase in state revenues of some 10 billion euros. To make sure that additional funds to the state budget will also come from foreign companies in the energy industry, the government wants to issue an emergency order to amend the tax code in order to eliminate the risk of non-payment of turnover tax by foreign legal entities in the field of oil and natural gas that do no have a permanent office in Romania. The latter will be obliged to set up a guarantee of 1 million euros, just like in the case of the contribution to the energy transition fund.
Moldova. Romania’s new foreign minister Emil Hurezeanu is today paying a working visit to the neighbouring Republic of Moldova, Radio Chişinău has reported. The agenda of his trip includes talks with his Moldovan counterpart Mihail Popşoi. Hurezeanu will also be received by president Maia Sandu, Parliament speaker Igor Grosu and the deputy prime minister for European integration Cristina Gherasimov.
Theft. Romanian justice minister Radu Marinescu called on his Dutch counterpart David van Weel to continue efforts to arrive at an effective solution in the case of the theft of Romania’s Dacian treasury objects and offered all necessary support to the Dutch side. The two ministers held a bilateral meeting during an informal meeting of EU justice ministers hosted by Warsaw. So far, three persons have been detained in connection to the theft. A break-in occurred last weekend at Drents Museum during which a golden helmet and three gold Dacian bracelets were stolen, some of Romania’s most important national heritage objects.
Flu. The number of respiratory infections is on the rise in Romania and the health ministry declared a state of epidemiological alert. Official data show that almost 134,000 patients were diagnosed with respiratory infection symptoms last week, including 11,000 flu cases. Eight people died last week with flu, taking the toll to 22 this season.
Sports. The Romanian football champions FCSB lost 2-nil at home to Manchester United, in the 8th and final leg of the Europa League. The Bucharest side will go into the playoffs for the Round of last 16, with the draw to be held today. In rugby, Romania are today playing their opening match in the new season of Rugby Europe Championship against Germany, in Bucharest. The latter, alongside Belgium and Portugal, are Romania’s adversaries in the campaign to qualify for the 2027 World Cup. In tennis, the Romanian city of Craiova is today hosting the first singles matches between Romania’s and Bulgaria’s men’s teams in the first round of the Davis Cup World Group I playoffs. The doubles match is due on Saturday. Romania and Bulgaria met only once so far in the Davis Cup, in 1988, when Romania won 5-nil. The winner between Romania and Bulgaria will advance to World Group I, while the other team will play in World Group II.
