Opposition Democrat Liberals Want EU Funds Minister Dismissed
Opposition Democratic Liberal Party vice-president Alexandru Nazare told a news conference Sunday the party is calling on Prime Minster Victor Ponta to dismiss EU Fund minister Eugen Teodorovici following the European Commission’s rejection of his Partnership Agreement.
“After being rejected several times throughout 2013, the European Commission has now rejected the official draft of the agreement sent by the European Funds Ministry,” said Nazare. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Macovei Says Ponta Absence During Nuland Visit Was Flight From Responsibility
Democrat liberal MEP Monica Macovei said Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s absence during the official visit of the United States Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland shows his fear of responsibility.
Macovei compared Ponta’s attitude to that of a drunk driver who flees the scene of an accident.
“Ponta’s absence has just one explanation: fear. Fear of responsibility made Victor Ponta adopt the most cowardly of attitudes: hiding,” she said. (Puterea)
SOCAR Not Interested In Buying Oltchim
Azeri state-owned oil company SOCAR will continue to invest in Romania but has no plans to buy chemical plant Oltchim Ramnicu Valcea, according to SOCAR Romania general manager Hamza Karimov.
“Considering Oltchim’s current situation, I don’t think the SOCAR management has a positive stance concerning this project,” Karimov told MEDIAFAX Friday.
The Romanian Government offered to sell Oltchim to SOCAR last year. The Romanian chemical plant has been insolvent since January 2013. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Grapini Says 9% Sales Tax Should Apply Across The Board In Tourism
Minister-delegate for small and medium-sized businesses Maria Grapini said Saturday a sales tax of 9% currently applied selectively in the tourism sector should be applied across the board.
Only certain services in tourism currently take a sales tax of 9%, while for others the sales tax is 24%.
“Right now, VAT on accommodation is 9%, as is the hotel breakfast. But if one is to have dinner at the hotel, VAT is 24%. We need to apply the same sales tax for all tourist services,” said Grapini. (Jurnalul National)
All Public Hospitals To Be Checked For Hygiene Observance As Of March
All public hospitals will be checked by health inspectors starting March 1, according to a directive of the Health Ministry.
Check-ups will unfold until May 31 and results are expected to be made public at the end of June.
The Health Ministry said in a statement the check-ups are meant to encourage hospital managers to observe strict hygiene rules in their units. (Romania Libera)