Press Review - March 12, 2019

03.12.2019 By Oana Gavrila

Romania Raises RON357M Selling Apr 2026 Bonds at 4.46% Average Yield

Romania's finance ministry on Monday raised RON357 million, above its RON300 million plan, selling treasury bonds maturing in April 2026  at an average yield of 4.46%, central bank data showed.

Bids amounted to RON610.9 million.

Romania last sold April 2026 bonds in February at an average yield of 4.5%.

Romanian Leu Loses Ground Vs Euro

The Romanian leu stood at 4.7516 units to the euro at midday Monday, down 0.22% compared with Friday's rate of 4.7410 lei/euro.

The leu hit all-time lows against the euro 11 times throughout January, bottoming out at 4.7648 lei/euro on January 25.

Romania PM Holds Talks with US Ambassador

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila met on Monday with the US Ambassador to the country, Hans Klemm, at the Government headquarters in Bucharest.

The two officials discussed Romania and the United States' bilateral relations.

This was the first meeting between the two officials in 2019. Ambassador Klemm previously met with the Romanian chief of cabinet in February 2018.

Iohannis: Social Democrat Party Solely to Blame for Lack of Budget

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said Monday the ruling Social Democrat Party is solely to blame for the country's lack of a state budget three months into the year.

"Lies and flight from responsibility cannot hide the obvious: PSD is solely to blame for the country's lack of a state budget although it is mid-March,” he said.

Iohannis added he decided to sign off on the social security budget bill despite pending changes to the spending ceilings law and the 2019 state budget law under reexamination in Parliament.