Romania’s trade deficit of food and agricultural products on the rise
Romania’s trade deficit of food and agricultural products was on the rise in the first three quarters of 2016 meaning that imports were greater than exports, according to centralised data of the country’s Agriculture Ministry issued on Monday. Exports were almost 3 percent higher in the first nine months of the year while imports hit more than 9 percent. EU remains Romania’s main trade partner in the field. The country’s food and agricultural imports include fresh and frozen pork, wheat, pastry, cookies, sugar, and coffee.
Governing protocol between PSD and ALDE
Romania’s left-wing Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the right-wing Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) are expected to sign a government protocol on Monday. The announcement was made by PSD leader Liviu Dragnea who pointed out that the document would mark the formal agreement between the parties. Mr. Dragnea said the document would include the principles of co-operation between PSD and ALDE as they shared similar plans concerning the country’s economic development. One of the most crucial decisions in the process of coalition formation is the allocation of ministerial posts meaning a distribution process of ‘who gets what’. Liviu Dragnea made clear that nominations would go public only after consultations with the country’s head of satte. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is expected to hold new talks with political parties in parliament at the Presidential Palace of Cotroceni in the capital Bucharest on Wednesday and Thursday.
Police raids in Argeş and Prahova counties
The Romanian Police conducted seven searches in homes and offices of a company in the southern county of Argeş as part of an investigation concerning an alleged tax evasion case. The operation on Monday refers to a company in Ştefăneşti where employers allegedly registered fake spendings in building contruction with damages of more than RON 800,000. Four people were subject to hearings. In another development, police in the central county of Prahova conducted 11 searches as part of an investigation of pickpocketing and theft incidents in the county capital Ploieşti with damages of some RON 8,000.
Migrants expected in south-eastern Romania
The Romanian south-eastern county of Tulcea is expected to host migrants coming from Italy and Greece next year. The announcement was made by the deputy chief of the county’s Center of Resources and Social Welfare on Monday. The population in the county’s Danube Delta area includes some 12,000 people, according to census data. The agency called on the regional mayors to provide suitable accommodation for them and ensure their integration.
Alexandru Danga
