March 17, 2017

Romania can absorb some 250 million euros worth of funds for the modernization of 280 hospitals and healthcare units

Newsroom, 17.03.2017, 13:54

EXPERTISE – The Chief Prosecutor of the Romanian Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA), Laura Codruta Kovesi, has been invited by the Bulgarian High Court of Cassation and Justice to share her expertise in the battle against corruption. Kovesi presented before Bulgarian magistrates, journalists and NGO representatives the role that the DNA plays in the Romanian justice system. She reminded that in 2006, only 360 high level corruption cases were brought to Court, while in 2016 their number reached 1273. 880 state employees, such as ministers, MPs, mayors and magistrates received definitive Court sentences last year.

FUNDS – Romania can absorb some 250 million euros worth of funds for the modernization of 280 hospitals and healthcare units, the European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu has said during her latest visit to Bucharest. The funds are mainly aimed at rehabilitating and expanding 42 county hospitals. The goal is to help the population in rural areas get direct access to quality healthcare services. Find out more about it, after the news.

MEETING – German Chancellor Angela Merkel is today holding talks with the US President Donald Trump in Washington DC. The two heads of state will discuss, among other things, about transatlantic trade and about NATO. Ahead of today’s meeting, the American side underlined the strength of its relationship with Germany and insisted on the fact that President Trump is keen to seek the Chancellor’s advice on how to manage relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

IMF — The IMF delegation presents its conclusions on the economic evolutions and on the policies promoted in Romania, at the end of its assessment mission. The Fund says Romania must increase the absorption rate of EU funds and the tax collection to the state budget and further support the fight against corruption. Romania does not currently have any financing accord with the IMF. The most recent accord, that expired without a clear conclusion in September 2013, stood at 2 billion euros, but the Bucharest authorities did not accessed these funds.

SLAVERY – Romanian Minister for Romanians Abroad, Andreea Pastarnac, continues talks, in Italy, with Italian authorities and Romanian workers at farms in Sicily. Talks are held in the context of disclosures indicating cases of exploitation of Romanian citizens who are working in the regions of Sicily and Calabria. As many as 7,500 women, mostly Romanian, are the victims of slavery in farms in southern Italy, according to estimates made by the Italian police. The women are victims of abuse, including threats and sexual assault, which is perpetrated with almost total impunity, shows an investigation published on Sunday by the British weekly “The Observer”. Romania and Italy have agreed to set up a support and assistance center, aimed at helping the victims of trafficking and at preventing people from becoming victims of abuse.

COALITION — In Holland, the process of forming a new government coalition is under way, following Wednesday’s parliamentary election won by the pro-European parties. The incumbent Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, whose party won most seats in parliament, will have the final say on the government’s membership. Political analysts say that negotiations over the new government coalition’s membership might last up until after the summer holiday.

MOLDOVA – Moldovan President Igor Dodon is today discussing in Moscow with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, about economic cooperation and the regional situation. The agenda of the visit, the second such visit in less than three months, includes Dodon’s participation in a business forum and a meeting with the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kiril. Political analysts say that the stake of Dodon’s visit to Moscow is an electoral one, and is aimed at ensuring Russian support for the socialists at next year’s parliamentary election.

(Translated by Elena Enache)