FORUM – The Black Sea region presents huge investment opportunities
\nfor the development of infrastructure, including for the transport and
\nproduction of energy, Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Ana Birchall said on the
\nsidelines of the Economic Forum in Delphi, Greece, held over February 28 -
\nMarch 2. Ana Birchall pointed out that the escalation of trade tensions,
\npolitical uncertainty, the gap between the rich and the poor, the worsening of
\nglobal finance, the prospect of a Brexit without an agreement, are risk factors
\nthat can destabilize an already slowed down global economy. The fourth edition
\nof the forum has brought together political leaders, diplomats, economic
\nexperts and representatives of the most important international think tanks.
\nTalks focused on the current economic challenges. <\/p>\n
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GOVERNMENT – Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on Monday will
\nappear before the Chamber of Deputies upon the request of the Liberal
\nopposition, who demands explanations over the controversial decree 114,
\nbringing new taxes in the fields of banking, telecommunications and energy. The
\ndecree was passed tacitly by the Senate, without a proper debate and a vote,
\nconsidering the deadline was March 1. A debate and a vote are scheduled for
\nthis week in the Chamber of Deputies. On Thursday, the European Commission
\nwinter report showed that the measures stipulated by decree 114 are weakening
\nthe second pillar of private pensions. The measures, EU experts warn, will have
\na negative impact on pensions, the capital market and future investment,
\nincreasing uncertainty and making Romanian economy less attractive for both
\nRomanian and foreign investors. <\/p>\n
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VISIT – Minister for Romanians Worldwide Natalia Intotero has paid
\na visit to Chisinau, where she met with the Minister of Culture, Education and
\nResearch, Monica Babuc. According to a press release, the two officials
\ndiscussed the possibility of intensifying joint projects in the field of
\neducation and culture. A major topic on the agenda for talks was preserving and
\npromoting tradition, considering both states have cooperated for the
\nrecognition of the Martisor symbol by UNESCO. The two parties discussed the
\npromotion of the cross-border project The traditional blouse – an element of
\ncultural identity in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, the nomination for
\nUNESCO’s Representative List of the Immaterial World Cultural Heritage. <\/p>\n
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EP ELECTION – The European Parliament has made public a new estimate
\nregarding its future structure after the European Parliament election due in
\nMay. The estimate is based on surveys carried out in individual Member States.
\nAccording to Radio Romania’s correspondent in Brussels, the new Parliament will
\nhave less MPs, 705 as compared to 751 right now, as a result of Brexit.
\nEstimates show that the European People’s Party is expected to secure 181
\nseats, Socialists 135, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats 75 followed by
\nthe Green Party with 49 seats. Figures also point to a slight decrease in the
\nnumber of seats obtained by anti-European and Eurosceptic parties. Of the 73
\nseats left vacant by British MEPs, 27 will be shared by some 14 member states,
\nconsidered fairly underrepresented in the European Parliament. Romania will get
\none seat and will total 33 seats. Of these, 13 are expected to go to the
\nSocial-Democrats, 13 to the European People’s Party representatives, three to the
\nAlliance of Liberals and Democrats, one each to the Conservatives and European
\nreformists and three seats to other groups. The document also highlights voting
\nintentions in Romania: the Social-Democratic Party in power is expected to win
\n29.9% of the vote, followed by the Liberal Party in opposition with 24.4%, the
\nAlliance of Liberals and Democrats with 9.1% and the Save Romania Union with
\n9%. <\/p>\n
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RATING – The International Standard and Poor’s financial rating
\nagency has confirmed Romania’s rating at BBB minus\/A-3 for long- and short-term
\ndebt in national and foreign currency. Romania’s rating reflects a moderate
\nlevel of external and public debt as well as the current economic growth
\nforecast, which remains robust, the agency writes. Standard and Poor’s however
\nsays Romania’s institutional efficiency remains weak, and the growing deficit
\ncould affect the country’s financial reserves in time. <\/p>\n
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HANDBALL – Romanian handball team CSM Bucharest is today playing RK
\nKrim Mercator Ljubljana of Slovenia away from home in Group 2 of women’s
\nChampions League. The Romanian champions have already secured qualification to
\nthe Champions League quarterfinals, with two more games left to play in the
\ngroup phase. In the group standings, the Romanians are ranked 2nd,
\nafter the title holders Hungary’s Gyor. <\/p>\n
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RUGBY – Romania’s national rugby team
\nis playing Spain on Sunday in its third fixture as part of the 2019 Rugby
\nEurope Championship. In the first two games of this competition, Romania lost
\nto Georgia 9-18 and won against Germany 38-10. In the upcoming fixtures,
\nRomania will play Russia at home on March 9 and Belgium away from home on March
\n17. Rugby Europe Championship is the second-tier of the famous Six Nations Cup.
\nRomania is ranked 18 in international rugby standings, its lowest ranking in
\nthe past six years. <\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
(Translated by V. Palcu)<\/p>\n
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