Press Review - February 18, 2016

02.18.2016 By Gabriela Stan

U.S. Embassy Reacts Over Vote On Lifting Immunity Of Madalin Voicu, Nicolae Paun

The United States Embassy to Bucharest reacted Wednesday over the vote in the Chamber of Deputies on lifting the immunity of deputies Madalin Voicu and Nicolae Paun, saying that, although it does not comment on individual cases, cutting corruption is essential for Romania’s development and security.

The U.S. Embassy said in a statement that parliamentary immunity should not be abused for protecting MPs and that all individuals are equal before the law.

The Chamber of Deputies rejected Wednesday the request of the country’s anticorruption department DNA of remand and arrest for PSD deputy Madalin Voicu, for EU funds misappropriation, while for Nicolae Paun, investigated in the same file, deputies postponed a decision of preventive arrest but approved the remand request. (Adevarul)

Senate Chairman Criticizes Certain Ambassadors’ Intervention In Domestic Policy Issues

Senate chairman Calin Popescu Tariceanu has criticized certain ambassadors for their intervention in domestic policy issues, adding that ”Romania is drooping, doesn’t know how to negotiate”.

"Unfortunately, we copy the wrong things from Hungary and Poland, otherwise we could take them for an example. They are countries which have the courage of their own dignity, the courage to claim their sovereignty unequivocally, to have an attitude which reflects that they know their national interest and don’t bow their heads like it happens to some politicians with important positions in Romania," Tariceanu told Antena 3 Wednesday.

The Senate chairman added that diplomatic norms are made to be observed and that the relations between states involve respect for the country to which one is accredited. (Evenimentul Zilei)

Romanian CFOs Optimistic About GDP Growth In 2016

Romanian Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are optimistic about the economic growth in 2016 and are considering the expansion into new or existing markets, according to Deloitte CFO Survey, which also includes Romania.

The survey shows that nearly a quarter of interviewed CFOs expect an economic growth of up to 3.5%, in accordance with the World Bank’s forecasts of 3.9%, and more than half (52%) start to see the new markets as a source of income, compared to 33% in 2015. Also, 57% of respondents expect an increase in the number of employees.

Ahmed Hassan, partner Deloitte Romania and leader of the CFO program, said that unlike three or four years ago when companies were facing budget cuts due to the economic crisis, currently, they are considering expansion again, either by expanding into new markets more than they did in the past, or by increasing teams. (Romania Libera)

Law On Debt Discharge Also Applicable To First Home Loans

The law on giving in payment will also be applicable to the government-backed mortgage lending First Home program, after senators rejected the banks’ and the central bank’s request to exclude the First Home program from the law.

Senators voted for “excluding the loans in the First Home program” with seven pros and eight cons.

Enache Jiru, state secretary in the Finance Ministry, has previously pleaded, like the national bank’s representatives, for excluding the First Home program from the law on debt discharge.

“There are currently 160,000 beneficiaries of the First Home program, we have guarantees worth RON14 billion. If the program is not excluded, then the program will no longer be valid. The problem is whether we want this program or not. The program is very useful,“ Jiru stated. (Adevarul)

CE Oltenia Registered Office Could Be Moved From Targu Jiu To Bucharest

The board of Romanian state-run energy holding Complexul Energetic Oltenia will propose shareholders to move the registered office of the company from Targu Jiu to Bucharest.

The proposal comes from the company’s majority shareholder, Energy Ministry.

Energy Minister Victor Grigorescu posted on his Facebook page that "after the multitude of wrong decisions in the past years, which triggered important financial losses, we must do our best to keep energy holding Oltenia in the National Energy System".

Grigorescu added that the fate of CE Oltenia would have been different now if the company had had an office in capital Bucharest. (Puterea)