President Klaus Iohannis approaches migration issues on a visit to Berlin
President Klaus Iohannis has stated in Berlin that emigration of qualified professionals represents a loss for Romania and this trend has to be stopped by durable economic development. During a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the head of state has explained that „poverty migration”, as he put it, is too often mistaken for the issue of free movement of workers in Europe. According ot the President, the number of qualified Romanian professionals seeking jobs in Germany is, for instance, much higher than that of „poverty migrants”.
President Klaus Iohannis has also reminded that Germany is Romania’s main economic partner and stressed out the existence of a remaining development potential that could be surfaced by further investment and trade flow boost.
Romania’s accession to the Schengen area was another important subject on the agenda. Chancellor Merkel has answered to the Romanian press that she couldn’t formulate a final answer at this moment but talks on this matter are going to be resumed. However, Germany trusts that reforms are going to be properly and timely implemented in this respect.
The head of state has also met with his German counterpart President Joachim Gauck, with President of the German Bundestag and with representatives of the Romanian community in Germany.
European Commission criticises disruptive fiscal policy in Romania
The European Commission has criticised the disruptive fiscal policy in Romania that lacks predictibility and strategic planning and considers it can only be sustainable on medium-term. The 2015 country report published yesterday points out certain progress regarding quality and efficiency of the judicial system, the fight against corruption, reduction of fiscal burden as well as progress in the Labor and Health sectors. On the other hand, the EC has ascertained shortcomings regarding tax collection, pensions reform, public procurement or energy efficiency policies.
Romania could start exporting electricity to Albania
Romania could start exporting electricity to Albania given the excedent produced by our country, according to Prime Minister Victor Ponta who has received his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama in Bucharest today. Co-operation in the energy sector has been one of the subjects on the agenda during official talks at Victoria Palace alongside educational and cultural projects.
Romania is going to support Albania’s European path and will offer its expertise in this pursuit, PM Victor Ponta has stated at the end of the meeting. In what energy sector is concerned, Romania has a surplus that Albania could benefit from as soon as a contractual solution is agreed upon with the help of Romania’s Commercial Bureau recently reopened in Tirana.
The Albanian guest has pointed out in his turn the importance of an enhanced bilateral co-operation, announcing that Labor ministers in the two countries have signed an agreement regarding social protection of Romanian and Albanian workers.
The chief of the Cabinet in Tirana has reiterated the request that Romania acknowlegde independence of Kosovo province which has a strong Albanian community arguing that settlement of this issue could ensure regional security and alleviate certain „tendencies and frustrations of some neighboring countries.”
186 builidings in Bucharest – a threat to public safety in case of an earthquake
Local authorities in charge with emergency situations intervention declared themselves ready in case of an earthquake in Bucharest, during a conference today, dedicated to the Capital’s vulnerability to earthquakes. The municipality has prepared 40,000 camping sites with beds, blankets, sleeping bags and mobile kitchens. General Mayor Sorin Oprescu added that refurbishing and consolidation works on 28 buildings with high seismic risk are going to be completed this year and will begin for 20 other buildings. A total number of 186 buildings with 8.500 dwellers are rated by seismic risk experts as a threat to public safety. However, the mayor says, not all landlords agree with consolidation works, reason that is slowing the authorities down.
Gaudeamus Book Fair in the southern city of Craiova
Gaudeamus Book Fair organized by Radio Romania will remain open by the end of the week in the southern city of Craiova. More than 60 publishing houses are presenting their offer in various domains and for all ages. The event called „The books are coming back home” which is already a tradition of the fair will help collecting books for public school libraries in village areas. Since the 2010 edition, more than 100,000 volumes have reached poor rural communities. The fair will stay open between 10 am and 3 pm this week-end. Visitors will be admitted free of charge.
Bianca Ioniţă
