Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on offcial visit to Germany
Romania is counting on Germany’s support in its serious efforts of European integration, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said while leaving the capital Bucharest for an official visit to Germany on Wednesday. President Iohannis is expected to discuss with German political leaders such issues as Romania’s potential membership in the Schengen free-movement Area and recent security concerns following the Ukrainian crisis. The Romanian President is also expected to focus on issues concerning the European future of the Republic of Moldova and other countries in western Balkans. Romania’s co-operation with Germany, the dialogue with Berlin and broader relations between the two countries are of strategic importance, Mr. Iohannis pointed out. The German community in Romania and the Romanian community in Germany should play a greater role in enforcing the co-operation between the two countries, President Iohannis added.
Romanian PM’s sister questioned by anti-corruption prosecutors
The sister of Romania’s Prime Minister Victor Ponta was questioned by prosecutors of the country’s anti-corruption watchdog on Thursday. Alexandra Herţanu had to answer questions concerning her husband’s involvement in a corruption case. Iulian Herţanu, Mr. Ponta’s brother-in-law, was arrested last week after the National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) issued a preventive arrest warrant on his name. Ms. Herţanu appeared as a witness before DNA prosecutors in the city of Ploieşti, some 60 km. north from the capital Bucharest, early in the day. She refused to answer questions from reporters. Her husband is accused of allegedly setting up a crime gang, embezlement and tax evasion in connection with a sewage network in Comarnic, a town in Prahova county. MPs Sebastian Ghiţă and Vlad Cosma along with Mr. Cosma’s father, Mircea Cosma, the head of Prahova County Council, are also under arrest for their involvement into the case.
Police raids in southern Romania
Romanian police raided a number locations in the southern counties of Ilfov and Călăraşi where a number of people were suspected of stealing cigarettes and spirits from companies. Prosecutors found that suspects were using fake number plates in the operation and then sold products to firms in the town of Fundulea, Călăraşi county, with damages estimated at RON 100,000.
Opening of Măgurele Science Park
The Măgurele Science Park project was launched in Romania’s capital Bucharest on Thursday. The project is aimed at provinding logistical support to companies involved in innovation along with specific tax incentives for science and technology parks. „The Măgurele Science Park project is expected to bring together technology producers and consumers who could develop trade relations and improve their research and production. The areas are very large including communication, electronics, computers, laser engineering, optics and nuclear engineering”, Nicolae Victor Zamfir, chief executive at the National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering in Bucharest, explained as quoted by Radio Romania.
Alexandru Danga – RADOR
