November 7, 2017 UPDATE

CETA to be submitted to the Romanian Parliament for approval

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Newsroom, 07.11.2017, 19:37

CETA – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed on Tuesday a decree for the submission to the Bucharest Parliament of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). According to the Presidency, the Agreement that stipulates the removal of most customs duties and allows Romanian citizens who hold a valid visa for the US or have been granted a visa for Canada in the last 10 years to travel visa-free to Canada, entered into force last year. CETA also stipulates that staring December 1st 2017 all Romanian citizens will be allowed to travel to Canada without a visa. On 21st of September this year CETA entered into force provisionally. National parliaments in EU countries will need to approve the agreement before it can take full effect.

MEETING – The Government will cover cuts in town halls budgets, Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose said Tuesday during a meeting with representatives of the Association of Municipalities in Romania, on the fresh fiscal amendments planned by the executive. On Monday, Bucharest’s mayor, Gabriela Firea, said the measures would also lead to cuts in investment budgets in town halls all over the country. Also on Monday, Prime Minister Mihai Tudose explained that the new fiscal measures are meant to strengthen economic-financial discipline, step up efficiency in the anti-smuggling fight and improve the VAT collection.

PROTEST – Employees of Romania’s largest carmaker, Dacia, owned by French giant Renault, on Tuesday staged a protest rally against the government’s decision to transfer social insurance contributions from employers to employees. They also protest the delayed construction of the Pitesti Sibiu highway. The Government is to approve on Wednesday a series of fiscal measures such as the aforementioned transfer of the social insurance contribution from employer to employee, the payment by the employer of the so-called workmen’s compensation insurance, which should cover unemployment and medical leaves, as well as to bring income taxes down from 16% to 10%. These measures have been criticised by trade union confederations, the country’s president and the right-wing opposition.

VISIT – US president, Donald Trump on Tuesday travelled to South Korea, the second leg of his Asian tour and met with his counterpart Moon Jae-in. The two heads of state held a joint press conference after the meeting. Talking about North Korea, president Trump said the country is a worldwide threat that requires worldwide action. Also, Donald Trump said the United States stands prepared to defend itself and its allies using the full range of military capabilities if need be. On Monday, president Trump visited Japan and is to go to China on Wednesday. His tour, which is the biggest by an American president in the past 25 years, also includes Vietnam and the Philippines.

MOTION – The Liberal opposition in Bucharest on Tuesday tabled a motion against Energy Minister Toma Petcu. According to the National Liberal Party, the sector is facing many problems related to soaring energy prices, stored natural gas, insufficient infrastructure investment and undercapitalised state companies. According to the Liberals, all these problems have been caused by mismanagement and the Minister has to be sacked or step down.

FAIR – 50 businesses are representing Romania this year at the largest international travel fair underway in London. The Alba Iulia tourist destination in central Romania, the cultural circuits, spa and adventure tourism are all promoted during the fair. The theme of the Romanian stand illustrates the 100 years that have passed since the Great Union of 1918, which created the Romanian unitary state, when Bucharest gained authority over all the Romanian historical provinces. The Tourism Ministry is due to present the Centenary logo, a unique element of identification for all the events Romania is to stage next year.

(Translated by Elena Enache)