August 27, 2024 UPDATE
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Newsroom, 27.08.2024, 20:00
INDEPENDENCE President Maia Sandu on Tuesday conveyed a message congratulating the citizens of the Republic of Moldova on the 33rd anniversary of the proclamation of the country’s independence. ”Moldova is our home and we choose a future of peace and prosperity. We are writing our history. Many Happy Returns, Moldova!” Sandu said, quoted by Moldpres. In Bucharest, the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis says that Romania will continue to provide strategic support to Moldova in all areas. ‘I congratulate the citizens of the Republic of Moldova on their Independence Day! You are part of the great European family and carrying on the present efforts will turn the EU accession into an accomplished goal,’ the Romanian head of state posted on X. In Chişinău, the presidents of the 3 Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—signed a joint declaration reiterating their support for Moldova’s EU accession. They attended the ceremonies occasioned by Moldova’s Independence Day, invited by president Maia Sandu, who did not take part in the celebration as she tested positive for coronavirus.
PENSIONS As of October 1st the pension tax threshold in Romania is be raised from EUR 400 at present to EUR 600, the labour minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu announced on Monday night. She said the decision was made after a new round of talks she had with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. So, on October 1st, taxes will account for 10% of the amount exceeding RON 3,000. The minister’s statement comes after the PM announced that he had instructed the finance minister to analyse whether a new tax threshold was needed after the implementation of the new pension regulations. The finance ministry is expected to conduct another review so that pensioners may not incur loses or have food vouchers withdrawn. Pensions below EUR 400 are presently tax exempt, but a 10% tax is levied on pensions exceeding this sum.
UNEMPLOYMENT In Romania, the unemployment rate was 3.09% at the end of July 2024, 0.03% more than in the previous month, the National Employment Agency announced. The number of unemployed people in rural communities is 3 times larger than in cities. Most unemployed people are aged 40 – 49, followed by people over 55 years of age.
DROUGHT Two rivers in Argeş County (southern Romania) have completely dried up. In more than 600 settlements in Romania, water supply is restricted, and in hundreds of villages not connected to centralised networks wells are dried up because of the extensive drought and extreme heat. The Romanian Waters National Agency also says that on 42 of the 120 monitored sections, the Danube water flow is below the minimum level required to meet water needs. Fortunately, the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant in the south-east of the country has no problems in terms of water supply.
REAL ESTATE Home prices in Romania have risen by an average 12% this year compared to 2023, according to a recent real estate market survey. The city of Braşov has grown above expectations and is getting closer to Cluj Napoca, which sees the highest home prices in the country. The national average price is EUR 1,611 per square metre. Timişoara (west) remains the most affordable of the big cities, as compared to the salary level. On the other hand, rent has not grown as fast this year as it did in 2023.
TENNIS Romanian tennis player Gabriela Ruse has qualified for the second round of the US Open, the year’s last Grand Slam tournament, after a two-setter against Julia Grabher of Austria. Ruse will be up next against Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic, winner of this year’s Wimbledon tournament. The other Romanians in the singles contest, Ana Bogdan and Jaqueline Cristian, have been knocked out in the first round after losing to Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands and 12th-seeded Daria Kasatkina of Russia, respectively. (AMP)
