February 14, 2014
News and Current Affairs from Romania
Ştefan Stoica, 14.02.2014, 11:59
Romania’s GDP went up by 3.5%, according to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics, exceeding the expectations of analysts, which were between 2 and 3%, with a figure as high as 2.8% most recently issued by the authorities. This growth is due mostly to agriculture and industry. For 2014, the government and the IMF are relying on a 2.2% growth figure. This most recent data also indicated that growth is at its highest since 2008. However, this is only preliminary data, with the initial estimate of GDP growth for last year to be issued on March 5.
The Social Liberal ruling coalition in Romania is seeking solutions for a reshuffling of the cabinet. The Prime Minister, Victor Ponta, proposed creating a fourth position of deputy prime minister for the Conservative Party, which the Liberals reject as over-inflating the government and ruining the evenness of the government’s line-up. The Prime Minister wants Sibiu mayor Klaus Iohannis to take over the new position, as well as the Interior Ministry portfolio. At the same time, he agrees with the proposals made by the liberals for the vacant positions in health, finance and economy. In spite of dissension, the leaders of the coalition are not considering a break-up of the winning formula that won them the 2012 parliamentary elections.
US Vice-President Joe Biden said he appreciated Romania’s contribution to NATO missions, speaking to President Traian Basescu on the telephone. He added that the US has a vested interest in Romania’s success as a democracy.
Romania’s president, Traian Basescu, is holding talks on Friday with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on European topics of interest for Romania. Commission spokesman Mark Gray said the two were focusing on the Republic of Moldova, a strategic point of policy for the EU and Romania. Other priority topics will be the recent EC report on reform in justice as part of the Mechanism for Cooperation and Verification, and Romania’s bid to join Schengen.
