July 13, 2014 UPDATE
For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here.
Florentin Căpitănescu, 13.07.2014, 12:05
SOCIAL SECURITY FUND — President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Monday will meet to discuss the 5% slash of social security contributions for employers as of October 1. The draft law has already passed Parliament, but president Basescu recently expressed concerns that the Government might not be able to cover the deficit the law would create. The measure has been criticized by the IMF and by large trade unions, that believe the reduction of social security contributions should be applied to employees, not employers. On his part, Prime Minister Ponta claims the reduction would not affect the budget, since the losses would be covered by retrieving the debt of bankrupt taxpayers.
VISIT — Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders, who is also the acting Foreign Minister of Belgium’s Government, will pay a visit to Romania on Monday and Tuesday, in response to an invitation extended by Romania’s Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean. The two officials will tackle bilateral cooperation, economy in particular. Moreover, they will also discuss topics on the regional agenda, such as the developments in Ukraine, the European integration efforts of the Republic of Moldova and the situation in the Balkans.
WAR — Israel has announced it would intensify its air raids against the Gaza Strip, as retaliation to the ballistic attacks launched by the Hamas terrorist cell. In another development, the international community has expressed its growing concern for the escalating tension, calling for an immediate ceasefire. In this context, the German and Italian Foreign Ministers, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federica Mogherini respectively, the latter’s country currently holding the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, have confirmed visits to the region in the coming days. Meanwhile, the death toll has reached 160 dead, according to Palestinian sources quoted by the international press.
MEETING — The world’s superpowers and Iran still disagree on the Iranian nuclear programme, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said, adding that the West must ensure Iran has no intention of manufacturing a nuclear weapon and that its nuclear activity is purely peaceful. The declaration was made in Vienna, where a new round of talks was held between the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia and China, as well as representatives of the Iranian regime.
TENNIS — WTA 3rd ranked Simona Halep on Sunday defeated Roberta Vinci of Italy in the BRD Bucharest Open final, 6-1, 6-3. Also on Sunday, the pair made up Elena Bogdan and Alexandra Cadantu won 2-1 the doubles finals against Cagla Buyukcay of Turkey and Karin Knapp of Italy. Totalling 250,000 dollars in prize money, BRD Bucharest Open is the first WTA tournament ever held in Romania.
