February 10, 2014
News and current affairs from Romania
Ştefan Stoica, 10.02.2014, 11:59
PM Victor Ponta said on Monday he would appoint Sibiu mayor Klaus Iohannis as Minister of the Interior. At the same time, he said nothing about the proposal to appoint him deputy prime minister, in line with the proposal made by his coalition partner, Liberal leader Crin Antonescu. The two party heads have been discussing Liberal nominations for the ministries of economy, health and finance. After the Social Liberal Union in power won decisively in December 2012, several Liberal ministers have been dismissed for various reasons.
Schools and kindergartens in Romania have started school once again after a week of vacation. The second semester, ending on June 20, comes with a number of changes. Among them are national tests for second, fourth and sixth grades, taking place in May. The second semester also comes with a national evaluation for the end of eighth grade and the baccalaureate, along with the simulations held in preparation. Starting this year, averages for the national evaluation goes up to 75%, compared to 50% as previously, while the average for grades in the primary cycle goes down by 25%. More after the news.
Romania’s exports last year reached a historic maximum of almost 50 billion Euro, almost five times the peak in the communist period. According to preliminary figures from the National Institute of Statistics, the trade deficit went down by 5.7 billion Euro, a significant drop from 2012. The highest portion of exports was provided by the machine and transportation gear industries, as well as by manufactured goods. The EU was the main trade partner, absorbing 70% of Romanian products.
Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean is on Monday in Brussels, attending the meeting of EU foreign ministers. On the agenda are the issue of Ukraine and means by which the EU provides continuous support to its partner states, Moldova and Georgia. At the same time, the issue of free circulation in Europe is on the agenda, after Switzerland announced on Sunday restrictions on migration. The European Commission said that this initiative runs contrary to the principle of free circulation, set in standing agreements between the EU and Switzerland.
Romania’s female tennis team qualified in the playoffs for the second group in the Fed Cup after defeating in Budapest on Sunday Ukraine’s team. Romania’s two points were provided by Simona Halep, ranked tenth in the world, who defeated Elina Svitolina, and Sorana Carstea, who won against Olga Savchuk. Previously, Romania had defeated the host country, the UK, and Latvia. In spite of attending this competition since 1973, Romania has yet to provide a notable achievement.
