Press Review - January 22, 2016

01.22.2016 By Gabriela Stan

President Klaus Iohannis Met With Foreign Ambassadors Accredited To Bucharest

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday met with the foreign ambassadors accredited to Bucharest, saying he expects more coherence, vision and strategy from the European Union, as well as the functioning of the European mechanisms.

According to the President, Romania is keeping its target to enter Schengen area, although the free movement space is currently under incertitude.

The President emphasized that the strategic partnership with the U.S. and the NATO and EU membership remain the cornerstone of Romania’s foreign policy.

Referring to the Republic of Moldova, Iohannis said that Romania will remain a firm supporter of its European aspirations. (Evenimentul Zilei)

Consumer Protection Authority Comes Up With New Bill To Support Bank Debtors
 

People who are no longer able to pay their debts to banks will be allowed to negotiate a new solution directly with the bank, according to a bill initiated by Consumer Protection Authority.

The bill stipulates that the bank cannot resort directly to foreclosure, without proving that it took all the measures to support people in paying their debts. Bankers will no longer be allowed to increase interests and commissions without justification. On the other hand, the new draft law no longer includes the project on the payment of the mortgage loan with the mortgaged property (law on giving in payment). (Puterea)

Government Mulls Simplifying State Aid Law

The law on granting state aid will be simplified so that the government would be able to adopt faster support measures for state-owned companies such as Cupru Min, IAR Ghimbav, National Mineral Water Company, as well as small green energy producers or owners of protected forests.

According to the substantiation note of a new emergency ordinance, the Finance Ministry has a low capacity to process in real time all the information sent by state aid initiators, such as ministries or local authorities.

Economy Ministry plans to grant an individual state aid to state-run copper producer Cupru Min, which owns the exploitation right over the quarry at Rosia Poieni, concentrating two thirds of Romania’s copper resources. The Romanian state has been trying several times to privatize the company or find investors. (Adevarul)

Victor Ponta’s Association, “Black Sea Regional Cooperation Projects 2020”, Gets Legal Entity

The District 5 Court on Thursday decided to approve the request of former PM Victor Ponta on granting legal entity to the foundation “Black Sea Regional Cooperation Projects 2020”.

Victor Ponta wants to set up the “Black Sea Regional Cooperation Projects 2020“ foundation, jointly with political leaders such as Daniel Constantin, ALDE co-chair, and former Health Minister Nicolae Banicioiu. According to political sources, the foundation will not have political objectives, focusing on international projects. Ponta has not made any official announcement regarding the setup of the foundation so far. (Adevarul)

The Planned Increase Of Tax On Packaging Material, Also Linked To Organized Crime Investigation

The potential increase of the tax on packaging material, which will trigger a 30% price hike on food products, as producers claim, is related to several irregularities, one of them discovered by organized crime investigation unit DIICOT.

According to the legislation, food producers have to collect 50 – 60% of the packaging material (metal, paper, bottles, plastic, wood etc) to avoid getting fines worth RON2,000 per ton of packaging material. DIICOT has found that producers reported more collected packaging material than they really did, resulting in fraud estimated at EUR50 million. (Evenimentul Zilei)