January 17, 2017 UPDATE

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

Newsroom, 17.01.2017, 12:15

ROMANIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE — Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday signed the degree to put General Florian Coldea on reserve status, the First Deputy Director of the Romanian Intelligence Service. Previously a special commission of the Romanian Intelligence Service announced that the analysis of the activity carried out by the first deputy-director Florian Coldea revealed no elements that would constitute violations of laws or regulations in force. Following an investigation the executive board of the Romanian Intelligence Office decided to put the first deputy director back in office. However, Coldea asked to be released from office and placed at the disposal of the institution, invoking reasons that have to do with military dignity and honour. Florian Coldea was suspended last week following accusations made by the former deputy Sebastian Ghita, who is wanted in several corruption investigations.

IMF — A delegation of the International Monetary Fund led by mission chief for Romania Reza Baqir will visit Bucharest this week for their first meeting with Social-Democrat Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu and the members of the new Government. According to an IMF press release, IMF experts will also hold meetings with the leadership of the National Bank, the Ministry of Finance as well as the other ministers with economic competences. Talks will most likely focus on the draft budget for 2017. Romania currently has no ongoing agreement with the IMF, but can hold annual consultations with Fund representatives as per IMF regulations.

CEREMONY — Romania’s Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu and Chamber of Deputies Speaker Liviu Dragnea on Friday will attend the official swearing in of US President Donald Trump. Dragnea said he was invited by the vice-president of the swearing-in committee. The presidency has released a statement saying that no foreign delegation has been officially invited to the ceremony. Representing Romania will be Romanian Ambassador to Washington George Cristian Maior.

OSCE — State Secretary with the Romanian Foreign Ministry George Ciamba on Wednesday will be chairing the Romanian Presidency of the Security Cooperation Forum as part of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna. According to a Foreign Ministry press release, Romania takes over the Forum at a time when the organization’s values are being reconsidered with a view to managing new global security challenges, also providing the opportunity of highlighting Romania’s role as a mature and responsible member state, aware of the opportunities deriving from its geographical location. Alongside the Permanent Council, the Security Cooperation Forum is one of the OSCE’s two decision-making bodies. Set up in 1992, the Forum convenes on a weekly basis and offers a platform for assessment and debate of security issues and for multilateral cooperation with a view to boosting stability and security in OSCE countries.

MOLDOVA — Moldovan President pro-Russian Socialist Igor Dodon said he wants to renegotiate the association and free trade agreements concluded with the EU in 2014 after the upcoming legislative elections. The announcement was made on Tuesday in Moscow after Dodon met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. This was Dodon’s first official visit as president of the Republic of Moldova. Igor Dodon said he wants to restore the Strategic Partnership between Moldova and Russia. Meanwhile in Chisinau, the Liberals have announced they would launch procedures to have Dodon suspended, accusing him of violating the Constitution. The Liberals reprimand Dodon for his close relations with pro-Russian Trandniester separatists.

BREXIT –British Prime-Minister Theresa May on Tuesday said she would submit to the vote of the two chambers of Parliament in London the final agreement on Britain leaving the European Union. The British official has again argued in favour of a clear-cut separation from Brussels, saying that after Brexit the UK will no longer be part of the European single market. Seven months after Britain’s historic ‘leave’ vote, Theresa May has promised to start the exit procedures by the end of March. Negotiations with Brussels will last two years. (Translated by V. Palcu)