SCHENGEN Romania’s and Bulgaria’s bid to join the Schengen
\nfree-movement area may be included on the agenda of the European Council
\nmeeting next week, at the request of the president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis,
\npolitical sources in Bucharest said. I am convinced we will reach the
\naccession of Romania and Bulgaria during this mandate and this will be my
\npriority, Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, said in
\nher turn. The statement comes after on Thursday at the EU Justice and Home
\nAffairs Council meeting, Austria opposed Romania’s entry.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
AMBASSADOR The
\nRomanian foreign ministry announced that following Austria’s veto regarding
\nRomania’s Schengen accession, the country’s ambassador to Vienna, Emil
\nHurezeanu, was recalled for consultations by minister Bogdan Aurescu. The
\nembassy will be headed by an interim charge d’affairs. According to diplomatic procedure,
\nthe decision is an indication of Romania’s firm disagreement with Austria’s
\nposition and also of the deterioration of current relations with that country. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
BUDGET The draft state budget
\nand social security budget of Romania were passed by the government and have
\nbeen forwarded to Parliament for discussion. The ministries set to receive more
\nfunding include the defence, agriculture, transport, development and education.
\nLess money than this year will be earmarked for energy, judiciary and public
\nhealthcare. The two bills also stipulate a 10% increase in public sector
\nsalaries, a 12.5% increase in pension point value and an increase of the
\nnational minimum wage to approx. EUR 610 per month. AUR party in opposition
\nalready announced it would table amendments because it disagreed with the draft
\nbudget.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
WORKERS Another 100,000 non-EU citizens will be given access to the
\nRomanian labour market next year. The figure decided by the government is
\nsimilar to the one approved for 2022, and it is intended to cover the labour
\ndeficit in sectors like constructions, hospitality, protection and guard
\nservices, road transport and trade. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
INVESTMENTS Net investments in the Romanian economy in the 3rd
\nquarter of the year reached EUR 8 bln, up 13.3% compared to the corresponding
\nquarter of last year, according to unaudited data made public by the National
\nStatistics Institute today. For the first 9 months of the year, the figure is
\naround EUR 19 bln, up 4.5% since 2021. Major increases were reported in
\nconstructions and heavy industry. According to the National Statistics
\nInstitute, net investments are expenditure incurred with creating new fixed
\nassets or with developing, upgrading and rebuilding existing ones, and with the
\ntransfer of ownership on existing fixed assets.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
GAUDEAMUS The 29th edition of the Gaudeamus Book Fair organised by Radio
\nRomania is under way in Bucharest until Sunday. The event brings together 200
\nparticipants and a variety of editorial products on different formats, for all
\nages and areas of interest, including music and educational games. The line-up
\nfeatures 600 different events and related projects. As a first, the fair also
\nhas special areas dedicated to interactive activities for young visitors. All
\nstands are also available online on the gaudeamus.ro website. The fair’s
\nhonorary president this year is poet Ana Blandiana. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
FOOTBALL The FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar has reached the
\nquarter-final stage. Two matches are scheduled for today, pitting Croatia
\nagainst Brazil and the Netherlands against Argentina. On Saturday, Morocco
\ntakes on Portugal and England is facing France. (AMP)<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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