Press Review - June 7, 2018

06.07.2017 By Oana Gavrila

President Iohannis Meets With CIA Director Mike Pompeo

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday met with CIA director Mike Pompeo, the president's office said in a statement.

Iohannis said Romania is a valuable partner to the United States, particularly considering threats to NATO's eastern flank. US officials, in turn, said Romanian intelligence services are top partners and allies.

Officials discussed the fight against terrorism, the North Korean ballistic threat and stabilizing Afghanistan.

Venezuela Jailed 14 Army Officers for Dissent at Start of Protests

Venezuela's security forces arrested at least 14 army officers on suspicion of "rebellion" and "treason" in the first week of protests against President Nicolas Maduro's government in early April, according to military documents seen by Reuters.

The soldiers, who include colonels and captains, are being held in Ramo Verde prison in the hills outside Caracas, according to lists being circulated within the military.

The documents said their cases were being "processed", and it was not clear if they had been formally charged.

The lists emerged after allegations by Venezuelan opposition leaders that a purge is underway within the military to quash dissent over the handling of massive demonstrations against the socialist government since early April.

At least 65 people have died, with victims including government and opposition supporters, bystanders and members of the security forces. Hundreds more have been injured.

Baicons-Acciona To Draw Feasibility Study for Bucharest-Giurgiu Railway

Romanian state railway company CFR SA announced it has selected the association Baicons Impex SRL – Acciona Ingenieria SA to draw up a feasibility study on the Bucharest-Giurgiu railway line.

The feasibility study should indicate the optimal route and plan technical solutions for infrastructure works.

Funding for the study comes from non-reimbursable EU funding through the large infrastructure operational program. The estimated contract value is RON19.26 million  net of VAT and the study should be completed in 18 months.

Dragnea: Banicioiu and Teodorovici Can Be Ministers in Social Democrat Cabinet

Social Democratic Party leader Liviu Dragnea said Nicolae Banicioiu and Eugen Teodorovici can always be ministers in a social democrat government.

He said he esteems the two and they were very good Cabinet ministers.

Banicioius previously served as health minister and Teodorovici served as finance minister.

Unions Want Pay Raise Delays Applied Equally to Public Officials

Union confederation Cartel Alfa demands that pay raise delays announced for the public sector be applied indiscriminately to all state employees, including public officials.

The labor minister said Tuesday pay raises in public education and healthcare would be granted in two stages, as of January 1, 2018 and as of March 1, 2018.

Following the minister's announcement, unions in the education sector said they will protest.