December 9, 2022
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Newsroom, 09.12.2022, 13:55
SCHENGEN Romania’s and Bulgaria’s bid to join the Schengen
free-movement area may be included on the agenda of the European Council
meeting next week, at the request of the president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis,
political sources in Bucharest said. I am convinced we will reach the
accession of Romania and Bulgaria during this mandate and this will be my
priority, Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, said in
her turn. The statement comes after on Thursday at the EU Justice and Home
Affairs Council meeting, Austria opposed Romania’s entry.
AMBASSADOR The
Romanian foreign ministry announced that following Austria’s veto regarding
Romania’s Schengen accession, the country’s ambassador to Vienna, Emil
Hurezeanu, was recalled for consultations by minister Bogdan Aurescu. The
embassy will be headed by an interim charge d’affairs. According to diplomatic procedure,
the decision is an indication of Romania’s firm disagreement with Austria’s
position and also of the deterioration of current relations with that country.
BUDGET The draft state budget
and social security budget of Romania were passed by the government and have
been forwarded to Parliament for discussion. The ministries set to receive more
funding include the defence, agriculture, transport, development and education.
Less money than this year will be earmarked for energy, judiciary and public
healthcare. The two bills also stipulate a 10% increase in public sector
salaries, a 12.5% increase in pension point value and an increase of the
national minimum wage to approx. EUR 610 per month. AUR party in opposition
already announced it would table amendments because it disagreed with the draft
budget.
WORKERS Another 100,000 non-EU citizens will be given access to the
Romanian labour market next year. The figure decided by the government is
similar to the one approved for 2022, and it is intended to cover the labour
deficit in sectors like constructions, hospitality, protection and guard
services, road transport and trade.
INVESTMENTS Net investments in the Romanian economy in the 3rd
quarter of the year reached EUR 8 bln, up 13.3% compared to the corresponding
quarter of last year, according to unaudited data made public by the National
Statistics Institute today. For the first 9 months of the year, the figure is
around EUR 19 bln, up 4.5% since 2021. Major increases were reported in
constructions and heavy industry. According to the National Statistics
Institute, net investments are expenditure incurred with creating new fixed
assets or with developing, upgrading and rebuilding existing ones, and with the
transfer of ownership on existing fixed assets.
GAUDEAMUS The 29th edition of the Gaudeamus Book Fair organised by Radio
Romania is under way in Bucharest until Sunday. The event brings together 200
participants and a variety of editorial products on different formats, for all
ages and areas of interest, including music and educational games. The line-up
features 600 different events and related projects. As a first, the fair also
has special areas dedicated to interactive activities for young visitors. All
stands are also available online on the gaudeamus.ro website. The fair’s
honorary president this year is poet Ana Blandiana.
FOOTBALL The FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar has reached the
quarter-final stage. Two matches are scheduled for today, pitting Croatia
against Brazil and the Netherlands against Argentina. On Saturday, Morocco
takes on Portugal and England is facing France. (AMP)
