Moldovan Citizens May Travel To the EU Without Visas As Of Monday
Citizens of the Republic of Moldova who have biometric passports may travel to the European Union visa-free as of Monday.
The European Parliament and Council on April 3 made the final decision to include Moldova in the list of countries whose citizens allowing no longer need visas to travel to the Schengen Area starting April 28.
Only Moldovans with biometric passports benefit from visa elimination. (Adevarul)
Romania Posts Budget Deficit Of 0.14% Of GDP In 1Q 2014
Romania’s consolidated budget posted a deficit of RON900 million, or 0.14% of the gross domestic product, in the first quarter of 2014, down from 0.46% of GDP at the end of February and 0.67% of GDP in the first quarter of 2013.
The first quarter deficit is within Romania’s deficit target of 2.2% of GDP agreed with the IMF, World Bank, and European Commission under a stand-by loan agreement. (Curierul National)
Romania Private Lending Stays On Downward Trend In March
Lending activity in Romania is still on a downward trend, with demand for loans showing no sign for recovery, despite many signs of improving economic environment.
In March, the volume of loans to non-government customers declined further to 217.86 billion lei (EUR48.9 billion), which is down 0.2% in real terms from the previous month, central bank data showed Friday. In February, private lending was down 0.5% on the month.
The decrease is mainly attributable to slumping demand for hard currency credit, while lending in local currency actually went up.
End-March, government credit reached RON81.9 billion, up 10.8% in real terms from March 2013. (Curentul)
Moody’s Raises Romania’s Credit Outlook to Stable
Moody’s Investors Service has raised Romania’s credit outlook from negative to stable, pointing out to declining financing risks and macroeconomic stability.
It also maintained the nation’s long-term government bond rating at Baa3, which is on par with India, Turkey and Ireland. (Romania Libera)
Romania To Have Flood Prevention Strategy Ready In 21 Years
Since the terrible floods of 2005, Romanian authorities have only managed to draw up a flood risk map and a prevention strategy is set to be completed in 21 years.
For the third time in the last 14 years, just a few hours of rain left thousands of households flooded. Not counting the most recent floods whose damage has not yet been assessed, floods in 2005 and 2010 caused damages nearing EUR2 billion. (Curierul National)
Pope Francis Sanctifies Former Pontiffs John Paul II And John XXIII
Pope Francis proclaimed sainthood Sunday for a pair of former pontiffs, John Paul II and John XXIII, thrilling multitudes who gathered in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican and elsewhere to witness the double canonization.
It was the first time in the history of the Roman Catholic Church that two ex-popes were canonized in the same event.
The joint canonization was championed by Francis, who, in the view of some observers, saw a singular opportunity to build bridges between the church’s progressive and conservative wings. (Romania Libera)