September 13, 2016 UPDATE
The Romanian-French Strategic Partnership has a special importance, said President Klaus Iohannis, fresh from a meeting with visiting French President Francois Hollande/ Romanian PM Dacian Ciolos will present a report on the state of the Romanian economy
Valentin Țigău, 13.09.2016, 12:20
ROMANIAN-FRENCH TIES- Romania and France want to boost their strategic partnership and expand economic cooperation to such domains as defence, education and research, the presidents of the two countries agreed in Bucharest on Tuesday. Fresh from the talks they held at the Cotroceni Palace, Klaus Iohannis and François Hollande went to Magurele (in the south), for a visit to the National Institute of Research and Development in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, that hosts the most powerful laser in the world. President Iohannis sent a message to the French investors, saying that 2015 registered record highs in terms of bilateral trade, which exceeded seven billion Euros. Therefore, he urged the French businesspeople to take confidence in the Romanian economy. In turn, the French president said his visit to Romania stands proof of the privileged economic, cultural and scientific relations between the two countries. He has announced that from now on the Romanian and French defence ministers will have regular meetings, in order to boost the partnership in the field. The French presidents agenda also included a visit, alongside Romanian PM Dacian Ciolos, to Ghimbav, in central Romania, where the two sides inaugurated the Airbus helicopter factory. The first civil helicopter produced there will go out in the field in 2017, whereas the first military one in 2018.
STRATEGIC US-ROMANIAN PARTNERSHIP- The Romanian Foreign Ministry jointly with the US Embassy in Romania recognize and salute the fifth anniversary of the signing, on the 13th of September 2011, of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between the United States of America and Romania. The two sides consider it “an important reference point for the Strategic Partnership, setting the framework for expanding cooperation and coordination in promoting security, democracy, good governance, free market opportunities, and cultural exchange, a communiqué issued by the US Embassy writes. The fifth annual Strategic Dialogue session and meeting of the Task Force for the implementation of the Joint Declaration are due in Washington, on September 26-27th, to assess the progress made in the five years since the adoption of the Joint Declaration and to formulate common priorities for the near future.
STATE OF THE ECONOMY – The joint standing committees of the Romanian Senate and Chamber of Deputies have decided to invite Romanian PM Dacian Ciolos, to present a report on the economic situation of the country. Therefore, on Monday, September 19, as of 14.30 hours (local time), the Prime Minister will address a plenary session of Parliament and make a presentation of the budget execution, to be followed by interventions by the parliamentary groups. According to an official communiqué, at the end of the debates the Prime Minister will answer the questions asked by MPs.
ECONOMY – Romania could become, in 20 years time, one of the first 10 economic powers of the EU, with an economy 4 times bigger, if it focused on three priorities and if the government implemented the necessary measures for a long-term plan, Agerpres news agency quotes representatives of the Foreign Investors Council, as saying. The three key areas on which Romania should focus so as to have an economy worth 655 billion euros in 2036 are infrastructure, demography and human capital as well as public and private efficiency. To reach this goal the economy should grow at a rate of 4% yearly, for a period of 20 years. Foreign investors say this is the task of the Government which should be supported by the Presidency, Parliament, the National Bank and the political parties, following large-scale consultations with the academia, civil society and the business environment.
MANDATORY LIABILITY INSURANCES– The price of mandatory liability insurance policies might decrease by 30% as compared to last year, if the authorities pass the amendments proposed to the current legislation. The draft law was approved by the Senate on Tuesday and will be subsequently forwarded to the Chamber of Deputies, the decision maker in this case. The amendments were made after the carriers challenged the huge price of mandatory liability insurance policies. Over the past days they protested on Romanias ring roads and threatened to organize a nationwide rally on September 15. Under a draft emergency ordinance, mandatory liability insurance contracts will be concluded for a period ranging from one month to one year, and payment will also be made in instalments. Furthermore, the contract can be suspended upon the request of the insured.
INFRASTRUCTURE – A strategic document meant to develop Romanias infrastructure by 2030 will be submitted for approval in Wednesdays government session. Sibiu – Pitesti, Comarnic – Brasov and Iasi – Ungheni are the highways which hold pride of place in the Transport Master Plan, which is to be endorsed. The document defines and prioritises investment in infrastructure in the following years and is instrumental in attracting European funds. The European Commission has given a positive opinion on the document, which sets priorities in each transport domain.
TURKEY – The Turkish press announces that the Ankara government has officially formulated a request for the arrest of cleric Fethullah Gulen, who resides in the US, and who is accused of having masterminded the failed coup in Turkey, in July. Turkey blamed the religious movement led by Fethullah Gulen for the attempted coup during which several rebel soldiers and military took grip of fighter jets and tanks to launch strikes against the Parliament building and to take control of several bridges, the BBC correspondents report. (Translated by Diana Vijeu)
