March 13, 2014
A roundup of domestic and international news
România Internațional, 13.03.2015, 00:03
The Romanian PM, Victor Ponta, has requested the support of the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, as regards the European Commission’s endorsement of the National Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020. As far as the absorption of EU funds for agriculture and rural development is concerned, he mentioned that nearly 90% of the total allocations have been spent, both for direct payments and for investments. The PM also voiced concern with the effects of the Russian ban on agri-food imports from the Republic of Moldova, and reiterated the need to continue looking for specific solutions to support the Moldovan producers. The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, is in Romania for the first time. His visit takes place at a time when the Romanian Agriculture Ministry is waiting for the EC approval on its National Rural Development Programme.
The Mayor of Bucharest’s district 5, Marian Vanghelie, was taken into custody last night, under corruption accusations. According to judicial sources, Vanghelie has illegally awarded public works contracts, since 2007, for which he claimed around 20%, causing the state to lose tens of millions of euros. Seen as one of the most unconventional and influential left-wing politicians, Vanghelie was expelled from the ruling Social Democratic Party early this year, and announced he would start a new social-democratic project. His partner, the Social Democratic MP Oana Niculescu-Mizil Thursday resigned from Parliament, after anti-corruption prosecutors accused her of involvement in business that were incompatible with her position as civil servant. In another development, the National Anti-Corruption Directorate has requested parliament’s approval for arresting Senator Dan Sova, from the Social Democratic Party, for alleged corruption misdeeds in a case involving the Turceni and Rovinari energy companies. Sova is charged with being accessory to abuse of office.
The President of Romania Klaus Iohannis carries on his official visit to Poland. Today Iohannis has had a meeting with PM Ewa Kopacz. Talks focused on regional cooperation and on strengthening the bilateral relations, as part of the strategic partnership of the two countries. On Thursday, President Iohannis met with his Polish counterpart, Bronislaw Komorowski, and signed a joint declaration reinforcing this strategic partnership.
The technical talks between Greek officials and representatives of the international financial institutions regarding the Greek bailout plan carry on in Brussels. The parties must reach an agreement by the end of April, so as to secure Greece the nearly 7 billion euros it needs to avoid defaulting on foreign payments. In exchange, Greece is required to come up with a list of reforms to be accepted by the European finance ministers. The Greek PM, Alexis Tsipras, explained that the reform programme proposed by Athens will reflect the priorities of the new government. The previous plan was not based on a reform aimed at social justice, Tsipras said. He is meeting today with the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.
One of NATO’s four maritime groups is in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta until Sunday. The group comprises four frigates, a cruiser and a tanker. The Romanian Naval Forces are represented by the Regina Maria frigate, with a helicopter on board. Romania’s participation in NATO drills on the Black Sea was planned in 2014 and is mainly aimed at strengthening the interoperability of Romanian and allied forces. The activities of the NATO naval group will continue on Monday, when joint exercises with other Romanian aircraft and vessels are scheduled.
