Leu Hits Lows Vs Euro And Swiss Franc On International Turmoil
The Romanian leu lost ground versus the major currencies Thursday and the central bank’s reference fell 0.22% to 4.5034 per euro, the lowest rate since March 18, 2014.
On Thursday, the Swiss franc gained almost 30% against the euro, touching a record high on international markets, after Swiss National Bank decided to scrap the minimum exchange rate ceiling against the euro, considering it is no longer necessary.
The Romanian leu also lost 15.7% versus the Swiss franc, and the central bank set a reference rate of 4.3287 units, an all-time low. (Adevarul)
Catalin Ivan, Cristian Busoi, Daciana Sarbu, Most Absent Romanian MEPs
Twenty MEPs, including three Romanians, Catalin Ivan, Cristian Busoi and Daciana Sarbu, have participated in less than 50% of the recorded votes in the European Parliament, according to statistics from independent organization VoteWatch for July-December 2014, quoted by Euronews.
Nevertheless, Romanian MEPs participated in 84.6% of the votes in the European Parliament.
According to Euronews, 20 MEPs participated in less than half of the roll call votes taking place in Brussels and Strasbourg, despite important salaries.
Roll call votes, or recorded votes, represent around 15% of all votes in the European Parliament, and are required on important issues, or where there is not a clear majority.
The three Romanian politicians were mainly absent due to the electoral campaign of Daciana Sarbu’s husband, Victor Ponta. (Curierul National)
Bucharest Mayor: South Korean Company To Build Suspended Highway In Romania
Bucharest City Hall has found an investor to build a suspended highway in Romania, namely a South-Korean company, Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu told HotNews.ro.
Oprescu said the investment worth some EUR1.6 billion will be funded by the private investor that will be appointed based on auction, while Bucharest citizens will pay an annual tax of maximum EUR20, thus, the company will recover its investment.
The suspended highway will link all the three highways – A1, A2 and A3 – as well as national road DN1, Oprescu said. (Jurnalul National)
Iohannis: EC President Gave Assurance On His Full Support In Schengen Issue
President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday said, after a meeting with President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, that the latter assured him of his full support on Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area.
Iohannis stated that he and Junker have the same point of view as regards the Schengen issue, adding that he also discussed with Juncker on the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) and that a CVM report will be drafted in a few days.
In his first official visit abroad, Iohannis also met European Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Ingrid Mocanu, Mihai Sova, Investigated For Accessing Data Of DNA And Interior Ministry Documents
Ingrid Mocanu Popa, counselor of Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea, and Mihai Sova, deputy secretary general in the Interior Ministry, are under investigation for having photocopied documents with information which were not public, and for taking information from documents of the National Anticorruption Department (DNA).
On Thursday, the National Anticorruption Department said in a press statement that Ingrid Luciana Popa Mocanu and Mihai Sova are investigated for the use of information which was not public or allowing the access of unauthorized persons to such information.
The offices and homes of Mocanu and Sova were also searched on Wednesday. (Evenimentul Zilei)