Press Review - September 28, 2015

09.28.2015 By Gabriela Stan

Romania Mulls New Agreement With IMF To Get Cheap Loans On International Markets

Romania’s precautionary agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expired on Saturday, September 26 although it hasn’t been successfully evaluated since March 2014 following the divergences between Romanian authorities and IMF officials on tax policy.

Nevertheless, the government wants a new agreement with IMF, in order to get cheaper loans on the international markets, given that the new Tax Code and the upcoming salary increase for state employees will trigger a deficit of nearly 3% in 2016.

Still, the past divergences between authorities and IMF officials might harden the negotiations for a new agreement. (Adevarul)

Klaus Iohannis, First Speech At UN Sustainable Development Summit

On Sunday, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis delivered his first speech, at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit. US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin also addressed the UN Summit.

The Romanian President addressed the Summit on sustainable development, during a meeting focused on the fight against global poverty.

Iohannis also talked about the refugee issue, which is also linked to poverty, besides war.

On Monday, Iohannis will meet US Vice-president Joe Biden at the White House. (Adevarul)

Romania Average Gross Salary Up 7.6% To RON2,328 In 2014

The average gross salary in Romania rose 7.6% on the year in 2014, to RON2,328, while employers spent RON2,988 for each employee.

According to the statistics office INS, there were 4.9 million employees in Romania last year, up by 99,600 persons compared with the previous year.

The best paid employees in 2014 were in the insurance sector, IT and telecom, oil industry, in the sector of electricity, thermal power and air conditioning supply, and in public administration.  (Puterea)

PM: Romania, As Safe As EU Developed Countries

Prime Minister Victor Ponta posted Sunday on his Facebook page that at the moment, with a rate of only 7.8% risk of default, Romania is considered a country as safe and economically stable as EU developed countries.

“We have contributed to Romania’s image with good economic and social policies starting with May 2012. Let’s remember that, between 2009 and 2011, Romania was in the Top 10 countries with the highest risk of default in the world, according to Standard&Poors. Now, with  only 7.8% risk of default, Romania is considered as safe and economically stable as EU developed states," Ponta said.

Ponta also pointed out that “the IMF confirms that the Romanian economy may exceed Portugal, the Czech Republic or Greece as economic power in the next three years if keeping the same path.” (Romania Libera)

PSD Interim President Liviu Dragnea Launches Official Candidacy For Party Presidency

The interim president of the Social Democrat Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, officially launched his candidacy for the presidency of the party on Sunday, at the county conference of PSD Teleorman.

“I want to announce you that I have decided to run for PSD presidency and I hope I would have your support after the end of the speech. I must admit it was not an easy decision, for several reasons. Some say this decision could represent a risk for me. I’ll take that risk because PSD needs to become what I am convinced that many Romanians want it to be, a stability factor in the Romanian politics,” Dragnea stated.(Puterea)