August 24, 2017 UPDATE
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Newsroom, 24.08.2017, 19:14
Visit — The Romanian and French Presidents, Klaus Iohannis and Emmanuel Macron, on Thursday decided in Bucharest the deepen the bilateral strategic partnership especially in the political, economic, cultural and research domains. President Iohannis said that the visit of the French president was a symbolic moment, given that in 2017 it is 25 years since the coming into effect of the Treaty of amicable understanding and cooperation signed by Romania and France. Also in 2018 the two countries will mark 10 years since the launch of the strategic partnership. He hailed the dynamics of the economic exchange growth between the two states and expressed interest for the diversification of French investments into the Romanian economy. In turn, Emmanuel Macron said that Romania was fully entitled to ask for Schengen integration and expressed total openness towards this topic. Also on Thursday the French President had a working dinner with the Romanian PM Mihai Tudose.
Ukraine national day — The Romanian Foreign Ministry officials on Thursday conveyed a congratulation message on the occasion of Ukraine’s national day and have reiterated Romania’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Romania is and will be a partner of Ukraine in the region and will continue to support its efforts for European integration — writes the message posted on the Foreign Ministry’s Facebook page.
DNA — The National Anti-Corruption Directorate in Romania criticizes the changes to the specific legislation announced by the Justice Minister, Tudorel Toader and announced it decided to convene its General Assembly next week in order to give its opinion on the proposed modifications. According to a communiqué made public on Thursday, the directorate is also to express its opinion on the way in which the changes will influence the activity of the anti-corruption prosecutors. The National Anti-Corruption Directorate has also sent an open letter to the Justice Minister, to the Supreme Council of Magistracy, to the head of the General Prosecutor’s Office and to the president of the High Court of Cassation and Justice regarding the consequences of such measures which it claims would affect prosecutors’ independence.
Fitch — Romania has reported another quarter of rapid economic growth, namely 5.7%, which is the strongest growth pace in the EU. But, pro-cyclical fiscal policies and rapid wage growth in 2017 have augmented the risk of economic overheating — the Fitch Ratings agency has warned. The London-based agency writes that, last month, when it confirmed Romania’s country rating at “BBB-” outlook stable, it revised upwards estimates regarding Romania’s economic growth in 2017, from 4.8% to 5.1%. In exchange, for 2018 and 2019, Fitch expects a slower economic growth pace as the impact of the recently adopted economic policies will diminish down to 3.4% in 2018 and 3.5% in 2019. Moreover, Fitch warns that rapid growth has started posing risks to external indicators and that there is risk of overheating to the extent to which the wage growth exceeds productivity growth.
Accident — 4 Romanian citizens have been seriously injured in a car accident in northwestern Germany, the Foreign Ministry reported on Thursday. A bus carrying 42 Romanians veered off road and capsized in Lower Saxony. According to the German Police, the majority of people on the bus were Romanian season workers. The Romanian Embassy in Berlin is working with the local authorities with a view to ascertaining the identity of the victims and the state of their health and is ready to offer any consular assistance. (translation by L. Simion)
