December 5, 2013
Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news
Ştefan Stoica, 05.12.2013, 11:06
The Dutch legislative assembly has voted with an overwhelming majority to remove restrictions for Romanian and Bulgarian workers after 1 January 2014, in spite of public opinion. The restrictions are due to be lifted in line with European legislation. Holland was one of the ten EU member states that maintained restrictions against Romanian and Bulgarian citizens after the two countries joined the union. Polls indicate that the Dutch would like their country to be off limits for Romanians and Bulgarians until 2019.
Chairman of the Romanian Senate Crin Antonescu continues his visit to the Republic of Moldova. He meets on Thursday the head of state, Nicolae Timofti, and PM Iurie Leanca. Antonescu’s visit comes after Moldova signed the association agreement with the EU. At the same time, the pro-Russian side in the Moldovan parliament filed a no confidence motion against the government, accusing it of treason. The communists accuse the government of having made a deal in secret, without the approval of Parliament.
Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean takes part in the OSCE ministerial council to take place in two days time in Kiev. The event will be attended by parties discussing frozen conflicts in the area, as well as the recent developments in the Ukraine, namely the protests caused by the government’s refusal to sign the association agreement with the EU. Hundreds were injured in the protests after the brutal intervention of security forces.
Romanian workers in transportation announce they would go on strike on December 9th, claiming that the Ministry of Transportation did not live up to their commitments in improving the legislation governing their activity, according to their union confederation. Transporters also protest a measure to make fuel more expensive by raising excises and a new tax on all fuels.
Romanian PM Victor Ponta said in an interview on Euronews that there will not be a wave of workers from Romania in EU states after labor market restrictions are lifted on 1 January. In his opinion, Romania offers enough opportunities in terms of economic growth and low rate of unemployment, even better than other EU member states. British Home Secretary Theresa May, announced in London that her government would like to change rules in terms of free circulation, with proposals being submitted in Brussels on Tuesday.
