Press Review - April 1, 2016

04.01.2016 By Gabriela Stan

Klaus Iohannis Announces Consultations With Parties On Security Laws

President Klaus Iohannis stated on Thursday that he will have consultations related to security legislation with all the political parties in the upcoming weeks, adding that they also need talks with experts in this sector.

"If the politicians in the country are expecting these consultations, then they understood my message. I want to reassure everybody that I'll have consultations with all the political parties in the upcoming weeks, we will also call experts who will propose some ideas in this sector and I hope we will manage, as soon as possible, to start a process of modernization and update of the whole legislation," Iohannis said.

Iohannis also said that the legislation in the security field is a specialized one, thus, solutions in the cybersecurity and prepaid cards sector are not easy to find. (Puterea)

Romanian Economy’s Share In EU GDP Is 1%

The share of the Romanian economy in the gross domestic product of the European Union was 1% in 2015, PNL deputy Andreea Paul said on Thursday.

At the same time, the share of Romanian economy in the world GDP is 0.33%, similar with the 1984 value, Paul added.

"Romania is part of the world’s largest economy – the economy of the European Union. EU’s share in the world’s GDP is 23%, which is the highest share, higher than the US’ share, and EU also contributes with 8% to the world’s population. In the European Union, Romania’s share in the GDP is 1% while it has a 4% share in the European population. We are facing a sharp competitiveness gap,” Paul said.

The PNL deputy said that the share of Romanian economy in the world GDP should not be similar with the 1984 value, adding that Romania should focus on becoming EU’s richest country.  (Romania Libera)

Legal Committee To Decide On Debt Discharge Law On April 5

The legal committee of the Chamber of Deputies debated on Thursday the law on debt discharge, jointly with its initiator and the central bank representatives, postponing the talks and vote for Tuesday, April 5.

After three hours and a half of talks, the deputies in the Legal Committee decided that the law amendments, including the elimination of the government-backed mortgage lending First Home program from the law and the increase of the ceiling for the application of the law from EUR100,000 to EUR250,000, would be debated and voted next Tuesday.

The proposed law on debt discharge, allowing retail mortgage borrowers to return real estate collateral to banks in exchange for writing off their loans, will then be subject to the Chamber of Deputies final vote. (Puterea)

ANRE OKs New Performance Standards For Electric Power Distribution Services

Romania’s energy regulator ANRE approved an order for setting up new performance standards for the electric power distribution services in case of power outage, including a maximum number of outages and a maximum period allowed.

If failing to observe the provisions of the order, electricity distributors will have to pay financial compensations to the consumers affected by power outages, representing a reduction in the value of the bills.  The ANRE order is a revised version of a standard in force since 2007.

The standard sets up the quality level that electricity distributors should meet in the distribution of electricity to consumers and establishes performance indicators for providing electricity services. (Adevarul)

Muse, Iron Maiden To Perform In Romania At Rock The City Festival

Muse and Iron Maiden bands will perform this year at Rock The City festival in Constitution Square, Bucharest.

The seventh edition of Rock The City Festival will take place between July 29 and 30.

Muse will perform in the first day of the festival, within their European tour for promoting “Drones” album. Tickets will cost RON162-357.

Iron Maiden will perform in the second day of the festival, within “The Book Of Souls 2016” tour, while the tickets will cost RON146-292. (Romania Libera)