July 25-31

A review of the headline-grabbing events of the past week.

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Florentin Căpitănescu, 30.07.2016, 13:22

Measures taken at the Supreme Defence Council meeting

At present there is no reason to raise the terrorist threat level in Romania, president Klaus Iohannis said at the end of the Supreme Defence Council meeting. The president said that, considering the growing incidence of terrorist attacks in Europe and the tragic events in France and Germany, the Council was presented with an evaluation of terrorist risks and threats to Romania’s national security. Another topic on the Council’s agenda was Turkey, a country the president has described as a strategic partner of Romania and the European Union and an indispensable NATO ally, but also a key contributor to regional security. Additionally, the Council meeting also addressed the decisions adopted at the NATO Summit of Warsaw on July 8 and 9 and their consequences for Romania. Klaus Iohannis said the multinational brigade to be hosted by Romania will be created over March-April 2017. At least six allies are interested in taking part, including Poland and Bulgaria. Defence Minister Mihnea Motoc said the brigade will be developed around an existing Romanian brigade consisting of over three thousand highly-trained military. In another development, also this week, the White Sharks Romanian elite battalion went on a mission to Afghanistan to ensure the protection of the military base in Kandahar and provide assistance and advice to the Afghan security forces.

Controlling arms export in Romania

Romania thoroughly observes the highest standards for controlling the export of military gear, the Foreign Ministry has announced, saying that exports are controlled under the law and observe the international commitments of Romania as a member state of the EU, NATO, the UN and the OSCE, as well as a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty. The National Control Authority hands out export licenses following a rigorous assessment. Romania also takes part in any investigation regarding the destination of arms produced in the country, the Ministry also reports. The announcement came after the British daily The Guardian published an extensive analysis according to which several East-European countries, including Romania, have been “discretely” selling over 1 billion euros worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Turkey. According to the British source, the weapons also reached Syria.

Investigation at the National Bank of Romania

The Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Romania, Bogdan Olteanu, is being investigated by the National Anticorruption Directorate for influence peddling. Olteanu is suspected of having demanded and received 1 million euros and support for his election campaign from the controversial businessman Sorin Ovidiu Vantu in 2008, when he was the acting Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in the Romanian Parliament. In return, Olteanu took steps and used his influence with the members of the then Government to appoint journalist Liviu Mihaiu as governor of the Danube Delta. Anticorruption prosecutors believe Olteanu to have received the money through a third party at the headquarters of a political party.

Drop in the budget deficit

Halfway through the year, the budget deficit is lower than the initial forecast, the Finance Ministry reports. The general budget discharge for the six months of the year reported a deficit of some 850 million euros, accounting for 0.5% of the GDP, as compared to the initial estimate of 1.9%. Compared to the same period of last year, Romania has reported an increase in revenues collected from corporate tax, excises, contributions to social insurance schemes, income tax as well as the tax on the use of assets. VAT-related revenues dropped by 9.5% as compared to the first semester of last year, also due to the drop in the VAT reference value and the introduction of a reduced VAT for foodstuffs.

No victory for Romanian clubs in European competitions

Four Romanian football teams have this week competed in European inter-club tournaments. In the first leg of the Champions League third preliminary round, Astra Giurgiu drew 1-all at home in the match against FC Copenhagen of Denmark, while Steaua Bucharest held Sparta Prague of the Czech Republic to an 1-all draw away from home. Romanian teams playing in the Europa League third preliminary round have had sub-par performances and now hold only theoretical chances of qualifying. Pandurii Targu Jiu lost on home turf 1-3 to visitors Macabbi Tel Aviv of Israel, while Viitorul Constanta was trounced away from home nil-5 by the Belgian side Gent. In the same competition, CSMS Iasi were knocked out by Hajduk Split of Croatia.