January 2, 2017 UPDATE

Romania participates in a FRONTEX mission in the Aegean Sea.

Newsroom, 02.01.2017, 17:57

FRONTEX — Romania participates in surveillance and control missions of the EU’s maritime borders and also in rescue missions at sea, at the Union’s external border, as part of a FRONTEX mission. A patrol and intervention ship carrying 23 border policemen has been sent to the Aegean Sea for this purpose until April.

IRAQ – French President Francois Hollande said Monday during a visit to Iraq that “supporting military operations against the Islamic State group is key to preventing terror attacks at home”. Hollande made this statement as part of a speech he delivered at a base of Iraqs elite Counter-Terrorism Service near Baghdad. Around 500 French soldiers are part of the international coalition fighting against Islamic State. In another development, at least 35 people were killed and over 60 were injured in an attack committed on Monday in a crowded area in Baghdad.

TAX CUTS – In Romania, the price of petrol and Diesel oil have decreased as of January 1st, 2017, following a cut in the VAT, which was set at 19%, and in other taxes. Under the new Fiscal Code, which entered into force on Sunday, the tax on special constructions was also ditched. 2017 is the year when the liberalisation of the price of natural gas and electricity for household consumers is to be completed, resulting in smaller bills for Romanians. Moreover, the gross minimum salary is likely to be increased by the new government, to the approximate level of 320 euros, starting February 1st. Also at the beginning of February, pensioners will no longer have to pay health insurance contributions pensions smaller than 440 euros will be exempted from taxation. Salaries in the public administration will also be increased and the price of medicines will go down by 35%.

ISTANBUL – Turkish police are further looking for the man who committed an attack in Istanbul on New Year’s Eve. Some 39 people were killed, of whom 15 foreign nationals, and another 60 wounded in a bloody shooting at a nightclub in the Turkish capital city. Islamic State claimed the attack. The Romanian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and reiterated Romania’s participation in the fight against terrorism, reaffirming the need for enhanced international efforts to put an end to this plague. Presidential advisor for foreign policy, Bogdan Aurescu, has condemned the attack in Istanbul and conveyed condolences to the victims’ families. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack was aimed at destabilizing the country and creating chaos, adding that Turkey will fight terrorism to the end in an effort to destroy its root causes.

GOVERNMENT – The Romanian Parliament will initiate procedures on Tuesday with a view to installing the Cabinet led by the new PM Sorin Grindeanu. The new government will be sworn in on Wednesday. Sorin Grindeanu is the second proposal for prime minister made by the Social-Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, which hold the majority in Parliament, after the first nominee, Sevil Shhaideh, was not endorsed. Sorin Grindeanu, aged 43, is the president of Timis County Council and was Minister of Communication in the Ponta cabinet.

EXPULSION – The plane carrying thirty-five Russian diplomats expelled from the United States by President Barack Obama landed in Moscow on Monday. The plane had taken off from Washington on Sunday with all the affected personnel and their families aboard. On December 29th President Barack Obama ordered the expulsion in response to alleged hacking of some American political institutions.

TENNIS – Romanian tennis player Simona Halep number four in the world, on Mnday defeated Jelena Jankovic of Serbia (54 WTA), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round of the WTA tournament in Shenzhen, China, totalling over 600,000 dollars in prize money. Halep will next play against the winner of the game between Shuai Peng of China and Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic. Romanian Monica Niculescu (38 WTA) on Sunday qualified to the round of 16 of the after defeating Kai-Lin Zhang of China (134 WTA). Also on Sunday, another Romanian player, Sorana Carstea (79 WTA) defeated Kristina Kucova of Slovakia (81 WTA) and advanced to the next stage.

(Translated by Elena Enache)