WHO Updates List Of Countries Requiring Compulsory Vaccination Against Poliomyelitis
Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) updated, within a meeting in November 2015, the list of countries that require the compulsory vaccination against poliomyelitis.
Romanian citizens who travel to these countries and were not vaccinated against poliomyelitis in the last 12 months must get vaccinated against polio four weeks before the trip or, in emergency cases, even before going on a trip.
Thus, people traveling from Afghanistan and Pakistan are obliged to get vaccinated against polio, otherwise they are banned from leaving the respective countries. (Adevarul)
Bucharest Court Confirms Astra Asigurari Bankruptcy
The Bucharest Court on Thursday accepted the request of Romania’s Financial Supervisory Authority, or ASF, regarding the bankruptcy of insurance company Astra Asigurari.
At the end of August 2015, ASF asked for the bankruptcy of Astra Asigurari, which had been under special administration, after the company failed to raise RON425 million for the share capital hike.
At that time, the company had 1.8 million insurers with 2.5 million valid insurance policies.
In February 2014, ASF placed Astra under special administration, suspended shareholders’ voting rights and appointed KPMG as special administrator, after ascertaining that the insurer needs additional capital. Astra shares were suspended from trading on February 18, 2014. (Adevarul)
Finance Minister Details On 2016 State Budget Draft
The 2016 state budget envisages revenues of RON231 billion, expenses of RON252 billion, staff costs of RON57 billion and social assistance costs of RON79 billion, according to a draft budget approved in principle by the Government on Thursday and presented by Finance Minister Anca Dragu.
The ESA deficit is envisaged at 2.95% and the economic growth at 4.1%, therefore, the gross domestic product (GDP) estimated for 2016 will be RON746.6 billion.
Investments are seen accounting for 5.1% of the GDP, compared to 4.7% estimated for 2015, namely RON37.7 billion. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Liberals To Endorse All Salary And Pension Hikes Voted In Parliament
Alina Gorghiu and Vasile Blaga, co-presidents of the National Liberal Party (PNL), said the party will vote in favour of the 2016 state budget draft provided its structure includes “very clearly” the conditions imposed by liberals.
Gorghiu said the Liberal Party never said that it did not want all wage and pension hikes voted last year to be applied. She pointed out that any wage raise or pension indexation voted endorsed by the Parliament in 2015 will be implemented. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Education Ministers Says National Ethics Council Will Be Revoked
Romanian Education Minister Adrian Curaj said he will sign an order for the revocation of the National Ethics Council.
Curaj said he plans to create as soon as possible a clear and coherent normative framework regarding doctor’s degree in Romania.
The minister explained there are not two categories of doctor’s degree, namely, one for public officials and one for the other PhD degree holders, therefore, it is not justified the existence of a special committee for those holding high public positions. (Puterea)