THE WEEK IN REVIEW

September 18-22, 2023

Corina Cristea, 22.09.2023, 17:19

President Klaus Iohannis at the UN

The extended region of the Black Sea must be protected against the effects of Russias war against Ukraine – said the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, in his intervention at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. Speaking from the podium of the United Nations, the head of state stated that this war proved that the Black Sea requires more attention at the global level, being of strategic importance for transatlantic security. Klaus Iohannis, at the same time, asked Russia to unblock the transport of Ukrainian grains on the Black Sea and accused Moscow of deepening the world food crisis. The subject of Ukrainian grain was also discussed during a meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister, Mariya Gabriel. The head of the Romanian state said that solutions have been found for the management of Ukrainian grain exports, namely the creation of an authorization system, so that Romanian farmers are not affected. In the speech delivered before the world leaders present at the UN General Assembly, Klaus Iohannis also said that Romania is concerned about the effects of climate change, pollution, but also energy insecurity, and is making visible efforts to combat them.

Romania and sustainable development targets

In New York, the President of Romania also spoke at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. On this occasion, he specified that Romania has already reached 62% of its national targets for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, making significant progress in terms of the objectives associated with environmental protection and limiting climate change. The President conveyed to those present that Romania is their partner in building a sustainable society and economy, and drew attention to the fact that in the seven years remaining until 2030, the international community must intensify its cooperation, because actions generating results are not are possible without unity, solidarity and strong involvement in the multilateral framework.

The draft law on new fiscal-budgetary measures under public debate

The Romanian Ministry of Finance has placed under public debate the draft law on the new fiscal-budgetary measures negotiated for almost two months by the two components of the government coalition, PSD and PNL. The bill, for which the Government will assume responsibility, provides that micro-enterprises will be taxed at 1% if they achieve revenues of less than 60,000 euros. If they exceed this level, they will be taxed at 3%. The same percentage applies to companies in the field of software, computer game publishing, legal activities. or medical assistance. Also, construction and food industry employees will pay health insurance, and IT workers will pay income tax for amounts over 10,000 lei (the equivalent of about 2,000 euros). A minimum turnover tax is established for large companies, and an additional 1% tax is provided for banks. The value added tax will increase for housing, the installation of photovoltaic panels, and for the delivery of non-alcoholic beer and food with a high sugar content. The excise tax on tobacco and alcohol will be increased, and from the beginning of next year, the tax authorities will collect 70% of the incomes that cannot be justified. Holiday vouchers will be increased to 1,600 lei from next year, but will only be granted to employees in the budget system with incomes that do not exceed 8,000 lei net. In terms of reducing expenses, the document provides for the reduction of at least 25% of the positions of secretary of state, the abolition of vacant positions, and the limitation of management positions both in the public apparatus and in autonomous institutions with state capital. The authorities claim that the new provisions will manage to reduce the budget deficit and eliminate the risk of losing European funds worth billions of euros.

Simple motion against the Minister of Health

In the Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest, this week, the simple motion submitted by the opposition against the Minister of Health, Social Democrat Alexandru Rafila, was rejected. The document, signed by 56 representatives of the USR and the Strength of the Right party, was debated in Mondays session of the Chamber and voted on Wednesday. The initiators criticize the minister for the way he manages the health system, especially regarding the establishment of new hospitals. They also claim that Rafila has been refusing for over two years to issue the rules for applying the Law on Nosocomial Infections, and that he destroyed the national anti-cancer program. The Minister of Health – the first representative of the Government to face a simple motion from the opposition at this beginning of the legislative session – rejected all the accusations and accused the signatories of demagoguery.

The George Enescu International Festival

In Bucharest the 26th edition of the George Enescu International Festival is winding down. For almost a month, more than 3,500 artists took the stage, performing in 90 concerts. Among the themes of this edition are those dedicated to the great orchestras of the world, that of recitals, the theme of Romanian orchestras, and the theme of families and children. Generosity through music was the motto this year, said the new artistic director of the festival, master conductor Cristian Măcelaru, quoting George Enescu, who said: “In art, in literature, in music, nothing is yours unless you give it to someone else,” and this exchange is what creates art.