February 27, 2017
BUDGET DEFICIT – European Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis and EU Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici have sent a letter to Romanian Finance Minister Viorel Stefan, calling on the Government to announce in a “reliable manner the measures they envisage to cut the budget deficit within the targets set by the Stability Pact by April, when the Commission will make public its Spring Economic Forecast. The Commissions latest estimate regarding Romanias budget for this year and the forecast for 2018 differs significantly from the Governments estimate. While for 2017 the Government announced a deficit of 2,96% of the GDP, the Commission claims the deficit will be as high as 3,6%, expecting it to climb to 3,9% in 2018, as a result of major tax cuts and the increase of public spending. EU officials have warned that Romania risks exceeding its budget deficit target.
Newsroom, 28.02.2017, 13:48
DEFENCE – Romania is ready to cope with the complex security developments in the region, Defence Minister Gabriel Les said today, upon presenting the Ministrys activity review for 2016. Minister Les highlighted the fact that the Ministrys budget for this year stands at 2% of the GDP after several years of being underfinanced, thus allowing for the reconfiguration and modernization of the military system, a necessary move in response to the volatile security context right now in Romanias vicinity. The Romanian Minister reviewed the NATO military exercises held with the participation of the Romanian Army, efforts to strengthen NATOs Eastern Flank and the actions taken to modernize the countrys land, air and naval forces. Attending the event were President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu and the Chief of General Staff, General Nicolae Ciuca.
CORRUPTION – Former Social-Democrat MP Sebastian Ghita is the target of a new corruption investigation conducted by the National Anticorruption Directorate. Ghita faces charges of influence peddling, aggravated money laundering and the setup of an organized crime group. According to anticorruption prosecutors, the former MP allegedly received up to 10 million euros over the 2007-2014 period from two IT companies in exchange for facilitating contracts awarded by public institutions and authorities. Ghita used the money to bribe ministers and public servants in exchange for awarding state contracts to the two companies. Yesterday prosecutors detained another two suspects in this case, Sebastian Ghitas brother-in-law, Cristian Anastasescu, and a businessman. The former MP is being investigated in several cases, and has been listed among Europols most wanted fugitives. Ghita disappeared without trace at the end of last year.
EXERCISE – The Platinum Eagle 17.1 military exercise underway at the shooting range in Smardan, south-eastern Romania, saw its press opening earlier today. Kicked off on February 20 and set to end on Wednesday, the exercise brings together over 500 military from seven countries in Eastern Europe and the United States. Its main purpose is to engage all participant military units in joint training sessions to increase interoperability. Platinum Eagle 17.1 is being led by the US Marine Corps Commander for Europe and Africa. In another development, a US military helicopter drill scheduled to take place today at the Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase in Constanta, south-eastern Romania, had to be rescheduled due to bad weather.
TRUMP – US President Donald Trump is today delivering his first address to a Joint Session of Congress. According to our Washington correspondent, President Trump will list his achievements since he took office last month as well as the political and legislative priorities for the coming period. The President promised he would also tackle budget proposals after voicing his plans to boost military spending to pre-war levels. His supporters within the Republican Party expect the president to end his conflicts with the media, the special services and the justice system. The Democrats have instead invited to the House of Representatives illegal immigrants who risk deportation in the wake of Trumps crackdown on migration.
TENNIS – Romanian tennis player Florin Mergea and his team mate Viktor Troicki are today playing Karen Haceanov of Russia and Benoit Paire of France in the first round of the mens doubles at the ATP tournament in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Yesterday, Horia Tecau and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands, the competitions fourth seeds, qualified to the quarterfinals, where they will play the winners of the match pitting Lucas Pouille of France and Fernando Verdasco of Spain against Philipp Kohlshreiber and Florian Mayer of Germany. Also yesterday, Marius Copil, 124th ATP, qualified to the main draw, where he will play Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany, 59th ATP, in the opening round. The tournament in Dubai has total prizes worth 2,5 million dollars. (Translated by V. Palcu)
