February 6, 2016 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 06.02.2016, 12:15
EU MEETING The Romanian Foreign Minister Lazar Comanescu attended the informal meeting of the EU foreign ministers, hosted by Amsterdam on February 5 and 6. At the meeting Comanescu highlighted the need for the new EU global strategy on foreign and security policies to reflect the vital interests of the Union, using a balanced approach to both the eastern and southern neighborhoods, and stressed the importance of strengthening security on the EU’s external borders. On the sidelines of the meeting, the Romanian minister had a talk with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini. Comanescu asked for the EU’s support in encouraging the Republic of Moldova towards stabilizing its domestic situation and carrying on the pro-European reforms.
INFLATION A fresh Central Bank forecast reconfirms the plunge of the inflation rate in the first five months of the year, following the drop of the VAT on all foodstuffs and the decrease of other taxes. According to the Governor of the National Bank of Romania, Mugur Isarescu, in the absence of these measures, the inflation rate would have gone up to almost 2%. The central bank has decided to maintain the monetary policy interest rate at 1.75% per year, as well as the current levels of the interest rates on minimum mandatory reserves applicable to the liabilities of crediting institutions.
LASER The European Commissioner for Regional Policy, the Romanian Corina Cretu, has approved a new calendar for the works on the most powerful laser in the world, which is being built in Magurele, near Romania’s capital Bucharest. The decision was necessary to avoid losing the funds allocated for the first execution phase, which has been delayed. The European Commissioner has also approved the inclusion of other facilities, and the purchase of additional equipment. The project, which is quite unique in Europe, will benefit from last generation technology, which will allow the study of the impact that strong electromagnetic radiation has on matter. The project is run through the European fund for regional development, and its completion is due in 2018.
EARTHQUAKE Rescue teams in the city of Tainan continue the search of survivors following the disaster caused by the earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, which hit Taiwan on Saturday morning. At least 14 people were killed and some 500 wounded. Hundreds of others are reported missing. Over 200 have been taken out alive from the debris, the BBC reports.
TENNIS Tennis player Simona Halep, ranking 3rd in the WTA classification, was defeated on Saturday by the 13th ranked Karolina Pliskova in the first game of the confrontation between the Romanian and the Czech teams, part of the Fed Cup’s first tour. Also on Saturday, Monica Niculescu defeated Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-4. On Sunday, Halep will play against Petra Kvitova, and Niculescu will face Karolina Pliskova. The potential doubles will oppose the pairs made up of Andreea Mitu- Raluca Olaru and Denisa Allertova – Barbora Strycova respectively. The Czech team participating in the Fed Cup this year has been the best of the past years, and has gathered 9 titles, including the one won in 2015.
