Press Review - September 15, 2015

09.15.2015 By Gabriela Stan

Klaus Iohannis: Schengen Area Unfunctional At The Moment

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stated Monday that Schengen area is unfunctional at the moment, adding that they will have talks related to this issue at the meeting of the country’s highest defense body CSAT scheduled for Thursday.

“Schengen area is unfunctional at the moment and this is one of our concerns, this issue will be subject to talks in CSAT meeting. This issue is on the agenda of CSAT meeting,” Iohannis stated.

Foreign Investment In Romania Reaches EUR2.084B In January-July

Romanian foreign direct investment, or FDI, amounted to 2.084 billion euros in the first seven months, from EUR1.66 billion in the first half of the year, central bank data showed Monday.

Of the total FDI, equity stakes (including estimated net reinvestment of earnings) reached EUR1.228 billion, and net intra-group lending was of EUR856 million.

Romania's current account balance posted a deficit of 347 million euros after the first seven months, compared with EUR994 million in the same period last year. (Adevarul)

Cristian Popescu Piedone, On Top Of Preference As Bucharest Mayor

The mayor of district 4, Cristian Popescu Piedone, who has recently said he is supporting UNPR, is on top of Bucharest citizens’ preferences for Bucharest mayor, according to a poll by Avangarde.

Thus, Piedone registers a confidence level of 49% and is followed by Robert Negoita (PSD), with 43%, Ecaterina Andronescu (PSD), with 42%, Monica Macovei (independent) - 28%, Nicusor Dan (independent) - 17%.

On the other hand, MEP Cristian Busoi, who will probably be PNL candidate for the position of mayor of Bucharest City Hall in 2016, only registers a confidence level of 24%. (Evenimentul Zilei)

Klaus Iohannis: Romania Cannot Receive More Than 1,785 Refugees

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is still stressing that Romania cannot receive more than 1,785 refugees, but leaves an open door for new talks at the country’s highest defense body CSAT.

Klaus Iohannis explained why Romania cannot receive more refugees, saying that they cannot be treated as tourists.

“If we receive refugees, we have to send them to school, they have to learn the Romanian language, and they need social integration. (…) They have to be accepted, they have to find homes on their own money, not the state’s money, then find jobs, as we don’t want to create more and more social cases, this is what refugees mean,“ said Klaus Iohannis. (Politic)

Victor Ponta: Government To Consider Hiking Salaries In Education Sector

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta stated Monday that the government will consider increasing the salaries in the educations sector in the law on hiking salaries of employees working for state’s institutions.

Ponta said that the education and health sector should keep the same pace of salary increases.

"In the upcoming days, I will have talks with the Education, Finance and Labor Ministers on finalizing the position of education system in the law on hiking salaries of employees working for state’s institutions so that we would maintain a principle that I insist on, namely health and education should keep the same pace in terms of salary increase,” said Victor Ponta. (Puterea)