National Anticorruption Directorate asks President Klaus Iohannis to approve the prosecution of three former ministers
The Chief Prosecutor of Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), Laura Codruta Kovesi, has requested the approval of President Klaus Iohannis to prosecute three former Government ministers, accused of abuse of office, in the case known as Microsoft 2. The former ministers are Dan Nica, Adriana Ticau and Alexandru Athanasiu. They are accused of having initiated, approved or supported draft government orders that endorsed the conclusion of a contract with Fujitsu Siemens, to rent Microsoft licenses. The damage is estimated to 67 million dollars.
The Romanian Foreign Ministry has warned on travelling with Lufthansa airline
The Foreign Ministry in Romania (MAE) has informed citizens who wish to travel on short or long distances with the airline company Lufthansa that the Cockpit Union here is again on strike until Midnight on Thursday. Friday’s short distance flights by Lufthansa will also be affected. MAE has recommended people to consult its Internet page and has reminded that those who are interested could use the mobile application „Travel safely”, that offers information and travel advice.
Romania is preparing to mark 10 years since it joined the European Union
Romania has a better democracy today, thanks to its accession to the European Union , the presidential advisor Leonard Orban has said, at a forum organized to mark 10 years since the country was admitted in the EU. Mr. Orban explained that wages and taxes were paid based on European projects, so the European funds contributed to the economic development, although they were not always well invested.
The EU adhesion process and, subsequently, the integration, after 20017, have brought about significant economic and structural changes, because strict criteria had to be met. Leonard Orban has shown why the GDP has grown to 60% and the investments have doubled after Romania became a member of the Union, Radio Romania reporter says.
Leonard Orban: Things have changed significantly, today’s Romania does not resemble anymore the 2006 Romania, the country that it was five years ago. Romania is a more robust state, as far as democracy is concerned, a reinforced state. Of course, there are still some problems, but the evolution is absolutely remarkable.
Reporter: Nevertheless, the adviser to the National Bank Governor, Adrian Vasilescu, has warned that Romania is still in danger, even if it records the highest economic growth in the Union.
Adrian Vasilescu: The speed is good, but the base is not. We are the 27th, the last but one, only Bulgarians are behind us, after the indicatory that shows the force of consumption of this population and the force of consumption of our country. I think that the crisis is not over.
Reporter: participants at the debate say that Romania’s integration, especially its economic integration, still lacks two things: the membership of the Schengen area and the Eurozone.
Mădălina Brotăcel – Agenţia de presă RADOR
