September 18, 2014

A look at some of the main stories in Romania today

România Internațional, 18.09.2014, 12:00

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the EBRD, has maintained its forecast regarding a 2.6% economic growth for Romania this year and 2.8% next year, in a report assessing the effects of the conflict in Ukraine on central and east European states. According to this report, the five months of clashes in Romania’s neighbouring country will have a negative impact on economic growth in eastern Europe. The continuing crisis between Russia and Ukraine is weighing on the economies of the EBRD region, with only a modest recovery expected in 2015 after a sharp slowdown in growth this year. The EBRD, which is owned by 64 countries and two inter-governmental institutions, supports the development of market economy and democracy.

Over 4 million Scottish voters are taking part in a historic referendum today on the region’s independence from Great Britain. According to the BBC, the latest polls indicate a slight advantage of the supporters of the union, but the large number of undecided voters may change the outcome of the vote. The no campaign has focused on the negative consequence of the separation, warning of loss of jobs and the region’s influence in the world, while the pro-independence supporters say Britain is led from London by an English elite which refuses to pay heed to Scotland’s interests. Commentators warn that a yes vote in the Scottish referendum would fuel other secessionist movements across Europe.

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko travels to the United States to discuss with American authorities possible ways to solve the situation in Ukraine. After talks with president Barack Obama at the White House, Poroshenko will address the US Congress in a rare joint meeting of the two chambers. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent, the Ukrainian president will request from Washington advanced military technology and financial aid to help the country’s economy, which may shrink by 10% this year according to the Central Bank. Earlier, Poroshenko travelled to Canada for talks on possible deliveries of non-lethal weapons and technological cooperation.

The European Court of Human Rights on Wednesday ruled against Romania over its investigation of a crackdown on demonstrators by miners in June 1990. The Romanian state is thus obliged to reopen its investigations and pay damages to the three claimants, who were victims of torture and other inhuman and degrading treatment. Viewed by many as the most dramatic in Romania’s post-communist history, the arrival in Bucharest of groups of miners from Valea Jiului, in central Romania, and the subsequent clashes with demonstrators, resulted in many casualties and material damage and seriously affected the country’s image.

The inflation rate in the eurozone stood at 0.4% in August for the second month in a row, with analysts saying the risk of deflation has decreased. According to the Statistical Office in Brussels, the annual inflation rate stood at 0.5% across the European Union. With its 1.3%, Romania has the third highest inflation rate in August, after Britain and Austria. Bulgaria, Spain, Estonia, Italy, Slovakia, Greece, Poland and Portugal also reported a negative inflation rate. To prevent deflation, the European Central Bank earlier this month reduced the monetary policy interest rate to an all-time low of 0.05%. According to EUROSTAT, the inflation was the result of higher rents and more expensive prices in cafes and restaurants. Transport, fuel, fruit and telecommunications prices dropped in the eurozone.

Romania’s football champions Steaua Bucharest today meet the Danish side Aalborg at home, in their first Europa League game as part of Group J. There will be no spectators in the stadium, as Steaua were punished for the racist behaviour of some of their supporters during a previous game against the Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League play-offs. In the second Group J fixture, Rio Ave of Portugal meet Dinamo Kiev of Ukraine. Also in Europa League, the Romanian Cup winners, Astra Giurgiu play against Dinamo Zagreb from Croatia away as part of Group D. Also in Group D, the Austrian side Salzburg take on the Scottish side Celtic Glasgow.