December 2, 2013 UPDATE

For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here.

România Internațional, 02.12.2013, 12:01

EUROSUR – Romania is among the 19 countries that are now part of the European Border Surveillance System known as EUROSUR, which went operational on Monday, the European Commission reports. The communication network is aimed at improving the tracking, prevention and combating of illegal migration and cross-border crime. EUROSUR entails a number of stages and is implemented in the 18 member states on the EU’s southern and eastern borders, including Romania, as well as in Norway, which is not a member of the EU, but is part of the Schengen Area. The other 11 EU Member States will join EUROSUR as of December 1, 2014.

2014 DRAFT BUDGETS – The state and social security draft budgets for 2014 will be debated by Parliament as of Tuesday following their approval by the budget and finance committees last week. The Liberal Democrats in opposition are dissatisfied with their failure to bring amendments to the bills, which they say would have led to economic recovery. President Traian Basescu says he will not sign the budget bill into law unless the Government led by Social Democrat Victor Ponta eliminates the 7 eurocent increase in the excise duty on fuel. The 2014 draft budget is based on a 2.2% economic growth rate and 2.2% budget deficit.

NATO – Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean on Tuesday and Wednesday is attending the meeting of NATO’s Foreign Ministers. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, talks will focus on the preparation of the NATO summit of 2014, on defining NATO’s role with the conclusion of ISAF operations in Afghanistan, on consolidating trans-Atlantic relations, developing relations and continuing open-door policies. The NATO-Russia summit will focus on means of furthering cooperation on the ground between the two countries, as well as the recent developments in Afghanistan and Syria.

VISA WAIVER – The US visa refusal rate for Romanian citizens has dropped from 17% in 2012 to 11.5% in 2013, reads the website of the US State department. The Romanian Foreign Ministry has hailed the announcement in Washington, expressing hope that the downward trend would continue. According to the Ministry, the drop in the visa refusal rate, correlated with the possible modification of the US legislation regarding accession criteria for the Visa Waiver programme, might lead to the lifting of visa restrictions for Romanians travelling to the United States. Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania and Poland are the only EU countries whose citizens still need a visa to enter the United States.

IMF – Romania’s agreement with the IMF is as of now suspended, Prime Minister Victor Ponta has announced after president Traian Basescu announced he would not sign the Memorandum regarding negotiations with the IMF, the European Commission and the World Bank, nor the Government’s letter of intent towards the IMF. Basescu explained his unprecedented decision, arguing that he did not agree with the 7 eurocents increase in the excise duty on fuel the Government has suggested. This would be a counterproductive measure, going against Romania’s best interests and chances of resuming economic growth. It would also lead to price hikes, an increase of the inflation rate and to the bankruptcy of transportation companies. President Basescu added that Romania did not depend on IMF funds and that the issue of excise duties on fuels could be renegotiated at the forthcoming visit of the Fund to Bucharest in January 2014. In September Romania signed a standby agreement with the IMF, the European Commission and the World Bank over a period of 2 years and worth 4 billion euros.

DECENTRALISATION – The Romanian Chamber of Deputies on Monday debated a simple motion submitted by the opposition over the decentralisation draft law proposed by the Social-Liberal Government. The vote will be held next week. The initiators of the motion say the decentralisation draft law consolidates the position of county council presidents instead of bringing decision-making closer to citizens. The Liberal Democrats in opposition also referred the matter to the Constitutional Court, saying the Government’s calling for a vote of confidence over the bill is unconstitutional. Prime Minister Victor Ponta however says the bill will simplify the administrative system, making it more efficient. On November 19 the Government called for a vote of confidence in Parliament over the decentralisation bill.

UKRAINE – The EU has called on Ukraine to calm down tensions after the recent string of violence reported in Kiev, calling on authorities to resort to non-violent measures. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called on both parties to refrain from violent acts. Thousands of protesters on Monday blocked access to the building housing the Ukrainian Government, following Sunday’s call by the opposition. Demonstrators demand the resignation of president Viktor Yanukovych, accused of refusing to sign an association agreement with the European Union on Friday at the Eastern Partnership summit hosted by Vilnius. Sunday saw clashes between pro-European protesters and security forces in which some 100 people were wounded.