PM: Romanian MEPs Sign Joint Letter Addressed To PACE
Victor Ponta, the leader of Romania’s ruling alliance USL, said all Romanian MEPs, including those belonging to the opposition, signed a letter addressed to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) stating the country’s institutions function unhampered.
Ponta was in Strasbourg Wednesday where he met with PACE members.
Absolutely all Romanian MEPs, including those backed by the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania and the Democratic Liberal Party signed the letter which reads Romania’s institutions function freely and the country may solve its problems by itself, Ponta said. (Curierul National)
Ponta Says He Hasn’t Quit Plan To Tax State Wages, Pensions Exceeding EUR1,000
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Thursday he has not given up the plan to tax state wages and pensions higher than EUR1,000.
Ponta, who is the leader of ruling alliance USL, made up of liberals and social democrats, said he hopes he will convince liberals that the measure is necessary.
The prime minister highlighted the country must narrow disparities between wages in the public sector. He said the monthly pay of a manager at state-owned companies Romgaz or Transgaz is 14 times higher than monthly wage of a resident physician. (Puterea)
Deputy PM: Romania Can’t Afford To Lower VAT This Year
Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Liviu Dragnea said Thursday the country can’t afford to reduce the value added tax and social security contributions this year as the government will not apply measures that might “ruin the current stability.”
Lowering the VAT and social security contributions were two of the measures included in the governing program of ruling alliance USL. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Egg Sales To Climb 60% Before Easter
Egg sales increase by 60 million two weeks before Easter and their price reach 0.4-0.5 lei (some EUR0.11) in stores, Ilie Van, president of the National Union of Poultry Breeders in Romania, said.
Before Easter, egg sales climb 60%, from 100-110 million eggs in a regular month, he said.
Romanians will allot extra EUR24 million for eggs, Van added. (Puterea)
Over 100 Tons Of Produce Seized By Police
Over 100 tons of fruit and vegetables sold illegally in markets in Bucharest and Ilfov were seized by the police Thursday.
The produce sold illegally is worth over 1.8 million lei (EUR0.4 million), the Romanian Police Inspectorate said in a statement. (Puterea)
President Says Romania Meets Requirements To Exit Excessive Deficit Procedure
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday, after a meeting with European Council President Herman van Rompuy, that Romania is among the first countries to exit excessive deficit procedures.
Romania was successful in regaining macroeconomic stability, Basescu said.
Considering the latest Eurostat data, Romania meets requirements to exit excessive deficit procedures, the president highlighted, adding that the country is able to pay salaries and pensions without external help. (Adevarul)