November 22, 2017

Romanian Parliament set to vote on censure motion; Romania has received 44 billion Euro from the EU in ten years of membership

Bogdan Matei, 22.11.2017, 13:41

PARLIAMENT — The censure motion introduced by the right wing opposition against the ruling coalition in Bucharest will be debated and voted on in full Parliament session on Thursday, as decided by the two chambers on Wednesday. The motion was signed by a number of opposition MPs from three minority parties, and was read on Monday. It calls for the resignation of the cabinet headed by Social Democrat Mihai Tudose, who is accused of confusing the economic environment and the legal system, as well as of lowering the living standard of the population. In response, the PM claimed that the fiscal reform would cause more funds to be brought in for the budget and the pension fund, while companies would benefit from simplified procedures.

FUNDS — Romania has been provided so far by the European Union with 44 billion Euro, according to a Finance Ministry document. The same document indicates that the country has contributed about 15 billion Euro to the budget of the Union along the ten years it has been a member.

BRUSSELS — Delegate Minister for European Affairs Victor Negrescu met on Tuesday in Brussels with European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Šefcovic, and European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Elzbieta Bienkowsca. He emphasized Romanias interest in actively applying the Energy Unions strategic objectives. Negrescu also underlined the importance of consolidating the single European market to the benefit of consumers and companies. Bucharest will take over the half-year rotating presidency of the EU starting on January 1, 2019.

PARADE — About 3,500 Romanian and foreign soldiers take part in the December 1st parade for Romanias national day, the Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday. The ceremonies will center on the Triumphal Arch Plaza. 50 aircraft will fly over the monument, with 300 vehicles being part of the parade. December 1st marks the moment, right after WWI, when Greater Romania was formed of formerly divided territories with a majority Romanian population. This date was proclaimed the national day after the 1989 regime change in Romania.

FAIR – The 24th edition of the Gaudeamus International School Book Fair, organized by the Romanian Broadcasting Corporation, opens in Bucharest. It features 300 participating companies and over 800 editorial and professional events. Among them are prestigious Romanian publishing houses, universities, book publishers and distributors, as well as NGOs. The honorary president of the fair is Matei Visniec, a French based writer and journalist from Romania. The honorary guest this year is the European Commission. The event marks 60 years from the signing of the Rome Treaties, three decades since the launch of the Erasmus program, and 10 years since Romania joined the EU.

MUSEUM — The Japanese Embassy in Bucharest and the National Museum of Old Books and Maps, in collaboration with the The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan are holding jointly an event as part of Japanese Culture Month. It features the launch of an atlas of 19th century Japanese maps, and is being held at 6 PM at the National Museum of Old Books and Maps, on London Street nr. 39, sector 1. The exhibition is open between November 23 and December 24, Wednesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM.

(Translated by Calin Cotoiu)