Press Review - August 29, 2017

08.29.2017 By Oana Gavrila

Foreign Affairs Minister Says Romania Might Join Eurozone In 2022

Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodor Melescanu said Romania might join the eurozone as early as 2022.

Melescanu said that the country already meets all formal demands required to join the eurozone, but said that he is afraid of the negative effects this might have on retirees and people with low incomes.

The eurozone currently comprises 19 countries. Lithuania, the most recent member of the eurozone, joined in 2015.

Romania's last euro adoption target was 2019 but it was dropped in 2016, as the country failed to take steps toward real convergence. Central bank officials said back in 2015 a reasonable target for euro adoption would be 2022-2023 but such a move requires political consensus and a clear timeline.

Brasov Seeks Contractors for Buried Landfill Platforms

Brasov city hall will tender works to build buried landfills or closed waste collection overground system.

The tender is being organized and selected contractors will be required to invest in modern waste collection systems.

The city's current waste collection contracts expire in September.

Also as of next year, the city will implement selective waste collection.

Taco Bell Enters Romanian Market This Fall

Taco Bell, the American chain of fast-food restaurants serving a variety of Tex-Mex foods, will be entering the Romanian market starting the fall of 2017, and the first unit will be opened in Baneasa Shopping City, one of the biggest shopping malls in Romania by cash-ins.

The franchise of international chain Taco Bell will reach Romania through Sphera Franchise Group, which also operates the franchises of two other international brands, namely, KFC, Pizza Hut and Pizza Hut Delivery.

Currently, there are more than 360 Taco Bell restaurants in 25 countries outside the United States.

PM: Romanian Tourists in Portugal Lacked Proper Assistance

Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose on Monday dismissed the Romanian consul in Portugal, Alina Oana Dociu, due to her mismanagement of the situation concerning a group of Romanian tourists whose flight was canceled twice and were stuck in Lisbon.

Romanian travel agency Paralela 45 accused TAP Portugal of poor communication and misinforming the tourists. Paralela 45 said the airline failed to inform the agency about the flight cancellation.

The 35 tourists were finally boarded on a TAP Portugal flight to Bucharest Monday afternoon.

Romanian Diplomats To Discuss Foreign Policy And EU's Future

The Annual Reunion of Romanian Diplomacy, due to take place Tuesday and Wednesday in capital Bucharest, will feature discussions regarding the country’s foreign policies, the future of the European Union and Romania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

This year’s reunion topics revolve around the future of the European Union, Romania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union and international security issues, as well as increased regional cooperation and economic diplomacy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The reunion will be attended by various guests, such as the presidents of the Romanian Senate and Chamber of Deputies, the Romanian minister of Foreign Affairs, heads of consulate and diplomatic corps in Romania, Sameh Shoukry, Egyptian minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean Asselborn, Luxembourgian minister of Foreign Affairs and Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.