January 1, 2015 UPDATE

An update of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 01.01.2016, 12:15

The Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, conveyed his New Year message to all Romanians. He wished them a new year 2016 with much happiness, accomplishments and higher aspirations. In a Facebook post President Iohannis talked about the changes for the better that are expected in Romania and urged Romanians to make good use of all opportunities in order to make the country progress. Also in a Facebook post the Romanian PM Dacian Cioloş wished Romanians a good and beautiful new year 2016.

The Romanian PM Dacian Cioloş will pay an official visit to Berlin on January 7, during which he will meet with the German chancellor Angela Merkel, sources in Bucharest say. The two officials will talk, among other things, about strengthening bilateral relations and the migrants’ flow to Europe. High on the agenda of the Romanian PM’s visit to Berlin are also meetings with members of the Romanian community in Germany and with the representatives of the Romanian-German economic forum. The delegation that will accompany the Romanian PM to Berlin also includes the Foreign Minister, Lazar Comanescu, Bucharest government sources report.

The year 2016 starts in Romania with a number of tax cuts and also with increases, especially in the local taxes. Thus, the general VAT will drop from 24% to 20%, the VAT for water will be 9%, the tax on dividends will stand at 5% while taxes will be increased for buildings. The extra excise duty on fuels, of 7 eurocents per liter will remain valid for another year, although the first version of the Fiscal Code provided for its elimination as of January 1st 2016. A new taxation scheme for buildings is in place as of January 1st, under which taxes will increase significantly especially for the small companies whose head office is in a person’s home.

The Netherlands took over, as of January 1st, the rotating presidency of the EU for the 12th time, in a very difficult period both for Europe and the world. Fighting terrorism, the migrants’ flow, and the situation in Syria are some of the challenges of the Dutch presidency, whose key role will be to act as a moderator for the 28 EU member states. The Dutch PM Mark Rutte has given assurances that the Dutch presidency of the EU will be pragmatic, focusing on the resolution of common issues, which can only be solved through cooperation.

Romania has to pay 113 million euros in 2016 to the EU and the World Bank from the stand-by loan agreement concluded in 2009. The money accounts for interest rates and commissions. In 2015 Romania paid more than 1.83 billion euros to the IMF, the EU and the World Bank. Also in 2015 Bucharest paid off the loan contracted from the IMF. Between 2009–2015 the total sum reimbursed by Romania to the 3 financial institutions stood at 4.837 billion euros, shows the Romanian finance ministry. Romania has to pay by 2023 another 4.88 billion euros to the World Bank and the EU. The EU will receive 3.8 billion euros.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry says that no Romanian citizen has been wounded in the fire produced in a hotel in the centre of Dubai. Also, according to the Foreign Ministry, Romania’s General Consulate in Dubai and the Romanian Embassy in Abu Dhabi have not received any request for consular assistance in relation to this case. At least 14 people were wounded in a blaze that ripped through 20 of the 36 floors of the luxury hotel, which is located near the highest tower of the world, Burj Khalifa (828 m) while thousands of people, among whom many tourists, were gathering to celebrate the new year.

A free trade agreement between Ukraine and the EU came into force on Friday and, in parallel, an embargo was imposed by Russia as regards the Ukrainian products. The European Commission announced the agreement would contribute to the modernization of the Ukrainian economy. The Ukrainian government authorities announced the embargo imposed by Russia would result in losses estimated at 600 million dollars, accounting for the value of these trade exchanges. President Petro Porosenko, quoted by the BBC, announced that Russia is trying to economically “suffocate” Ukraine.