October 23, 2013
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news
Corina Cristea, 23.10.2013, 12:13
Romania’s Justice Minister Robert Cazanciuc is on a working visit to Madrid today, where he will be holding talks with his Spanish counterpart, Alberto Ruiz Gallardon. High on the bilateral talks’ agenda are issues focusing on the joint Romanian-Spanish work in the justice sector, with a direct relevance for Spain’s Romanian community, as well as issues targeting joint work in the case of the unattended Romanian underage persons, the repatriation of convicted people or the enforcement of arrest warrants. Robert Cazanciuc’s visit has occurred right after Romania and Spain’s Prime Ministers, Victor Ponta and Mariano Rajoy, respectively, this past summer decided to strengthen the bilateral relations, with a view to setting up a bilateral strategic partnership.
The joint mission of the IMF, World Bank and the European Commission in Bucharest today is assessing the most recent agreement those bodies concluded with Romania. The IMF board approved the precautionary loan agreement on September 27 for two years. The agreement stands at around 2 billion Euros, added to which are another two billion Euros coming from the European Commission. The initial talks, jointly held with the Budget delegate minister Liviu Voinea focused on the budget execution over the third quarter of 2013 as well as the latest on arrears. With Romania’s Central Bank, talks have been focusing on data regarding the country’s trade balance, the current account, as well as a the most recent data and forecasts in the case of direct foreign investments. Until November 5, international experts have scheduled meetings with Bucharest’s high-ranking responsible persons, with representatives of political parties, trade unions, business associations, banks and organizations of the civil society.
Romania’s Prime Minister Victor Ponta is concluding his three-day visit to the United States of America. Included on today’s agenda are talks with the US Congress representatives focusing on the change of the legislation allowing for the relaxation the visa regime. Ponta also held meetings with representatives of leading American companies. Also, Romania’s Prime Minister held talks with the World Bank’s President Jim Yong Kim and at the White House, with the US Vice President Joe Biden with whom he discussed the bilateral political and military strategic partnership..
Romania’s football champion team Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday night were held to a 1-all draw by Swiss side Basle on home turf, in a confrontation counting towards Champions League’s Group E. In the group’s other game, Chelsea from London snatched a 3-nil win away from home against Schalke 04 from Germany. The Romanians are bottom of the table in their group, with only one point on their record sheet. Chelsea and Schalke are top of the table, with six points each, while Basle have four points on their record sheet. Romania’s second team in the European Cups, Pandurii from Targu Jiu on Thursday will be taking on the Italian side Fiorentina, away from home, in a game counting towards the Europa League’s group stage. .
