June 11, 2014
For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here.
Bogdan Matei, 11.06.2014, 12:00
GROWTH – This year, Romania is to report a 2.8% economic growth, after a 3.2% growth in 2013, followed by a growth of 3.2% in 2015, the World Bank’s report says. In January, the World Bank predicted a 2.5% growth in 2014 and a 2.7% growth in 2015. The figures are similar for the region, where a low inflation rate will enable the banks to maintain monetary policies supporting the economic recovery and consumption, the report also says. The Romanian government and the IMF count on a growth of the GDP of 2.2-2.5% in 2014 and of 2.5% next year. The European Commission also estimates an economic growth of 2.5% this year and of 2.6% in 2015.
BILATERAL RELATIONS – The forthcoming conclusion of the Association Agreement between the ex-Soviet Republic of Moldova with a predominantly Romanian-speaking population and the European Union risks complicating the Moldovan-Russian relations of economic cooperation — the Russian Foreign Ministry estimates after the visit to Chisinau by deputy foreign minister Grigori Karasin. The latter met Moldovan pro-Western Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and his counterpart, Natalia Gherman. He told them about the negative impact which the signing of the Agreement would have. In another development, the Romanian Foreign Ministry has reiterated the need for the procedures of ratifying the accord to be stepped up. The agreement will be signed at the EU summit in Brussels on June 27th.
GAZPROM – The Russian group Gazprom said that it had extended to June 16th the deadline for Ukraine to pay its debts for the Russian gas deliveries. Russian-Ukrainian talks on Russian gas deliveries to Kiev, mediated by the European Commission, have been resumed in Brussels today, FP reports. The previous deadline expired on Tuesday. Gazprom insists that Ukraine should pay its entire debt of 4.5 billion dollars for the gas delivered so far and threatens it will introduce an advance payment system, which means a possible interruption of gas supply to Ukraine, involving the risk of upsetting the supply to the EU. In exchange, Kiev challenges the almost double price of gas demanded by Russia as from April 1st, in the wake of a pro-Western government taking over power in Ukraine. The Russian group Gazprom, the world’s biggest gas producer, provides one third of Europe’s necessary amount of gas, half of it transiting Ukraine.
INTERNAL POLITICS – The Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, which is part of the ruling coalition, said it disagreed to the idea of the Social Democratic Party that the populist Dan Diaconescu Party of the People should join the government, pointing out that the Social Democratic Party had not asked for its consent in this respect. Union leader, Kelemen Hunor said that from the viewpoint of image, joining the government by the party founded by Dan Diaconescu, the former TV star specialized in tabloid shows, would be a disaster. Social-Democrat Prime Minister Victor Ponta said however that the talks between the Social Democratic Party and the Dan Diaconescu Party of the People aimed for the time being only at cooperation at local level and not at government level.
BACCALAUREATE – In Romania, today is the second day for the 12th graders to take the oral test in the Romanian language — the first stage of the baccalaureate exam. The baccalaureate exam consists of three written tests and three oral tests, as well as a test of digital skills. Less than two thirds of graduates this year participate in the exam. Absenteeism is caused by the small number of students who passed the baccalaureate exam in recent years.
SUCCESSION – Spanish deputies are today voting on a law allowing King Juan Carlos to step down in favour of his son, Felipe. The king’s abdication is not laid down in the constitution of Spain and the recent decision of Juan Carlos to step down after 40 years of reign has forced the government to come up with a special law. Even if the republicans demand a referendum on the government system, the parties backing the monarchy are predominant in Parliament. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in Madrid, the law is to be passed without any surprises. The new King of Spain is expected to be sworn in next week, after the law has been passed by the Senate too.
IRAQ – FP reports that over 500,000 civilians have left Mosul, the second largest city of Iraq and its surroundings, as the International Organization for Migration has announced today. On Tuesday, rebels took control of the entire Ninive province in Northern Iraq, whose administrative center is Mosul — a blow dealt at the power unable to check the rebels’ advance in the country, FP reports. The rebels, who control Fallujah and several sectors in the Western Al-Anbar province, neighbouring Ninive, at the border with Syria, aim to set up an Islamic state in the area. Iraq is devastated by violence, which has killed 4,600 people since the beginning of 2014.
SPORTS – The Romanian national women’s handball team are today taking on the team of Belarus in an away game in the qualifiers of the European Championship due in Croatia and Hungary in December. Romania and Belarus, which have no point after their matches with Norway, which has already qualified, fight for ranking second in the group, a position enabling them to participate in the final tournament. The return match with Belarus will take place in Baia Mare, Northern Romania on Sunday. On Saturday, the Romanian men’s handball team lost 24-25 to Sweden in Bucharest, in the first leg of the world Championship playoffs due next year. The return match is scheduled in Goteborg also on Sunday.
