Basescu Tells Lukoil To Observe Romanian Law Or Go Back To Russia
Romanian President Traian Basescu deemed Russian oil group Lukoil’s pressures unacceptable and called on the government to be prepared to take over the oil refinery in Ploiesti if Lukoil doesn’t resume production Friday.
The president also said Lukoil must decide either to observe Romanian law or leave the Romanian market altogether, adding pressuring authorities in unacceptable in a EU country.
“The audacity to say they’d think things through until Friday and leave unless prosecutors leave them alone. Go, if you don’t observe Romanian law, go, but don’t think you’re taking the refinery with you,” Basescu said.
He added Lukoil has not made profit in Romania in the last five years so there were no major contributions in taxes. (Adevarul)
Basescu Signs Decree Dismissing Kelemen Hunor From Culture Minister Position
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday he has signed the papers relieving Kelemen Hunor from his duties as Culture Minister.
He said he has waited three months for the Government to propose a new minister or at least appoint an interim, adding the Cabinet “has crossed the line”.
Kelemen is running for president in the November election and resigned from the Cabinet in September. He has stayed on as minister, however, as the president had not signed the papers making his resignation effective. (Romania Libera)
WB Revises Romania Economic Growth Slightly Down To 2.7%
The World Bank sees Romania’s economic growth at 2.7% this year, higher than its forecast in April but slightly below the 2.8% forecast of June, according to revised forecasts for Europe and Central Asia.
The International Monetary Fund recently revised its growth forecast for Romania to 2.4% this year, from the 2.8% it anticipated back in June. IN April, the IMF saw Romania’s economic growth at 2.2%. (Puterea)
Over 1.5 Million Phone Numbers Ported Since 2008 In Romania
Over 1.5 million telephone numbers were ported in Romania between October 2008 and October 2014, out of which 72 percent in mobile networks, according to the data of telecom watchdog ANCOM.
Since October 2008, 1,565,031 phone numbers were ported, out of which 1,122,559 numbers in mobile networks and 442,472 landline numbers.
According to ANCOM data, 2014 was the year with the most ported numbers: 357,606, which averages at 39.734 phone numbers that changed operators every month but not their users. (Curierul National)
U.S. Navy To Commission Missile Defense Base In Romania
The U.S. Navy will commission its new missile defense base in southern Romania on Friday, one of two European land-based interceptor sites for a NATO missile shield vehemently opposed by Russia, www.stripes.com reported.
The base represents a rare expansion of the U.S. footprint in Europe, and the even rarer construction of a new Navy base from the ground up.
The base in Deveselu will be the first to feature the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system, a land-based version of the sophisticated radar tracking system installed on U.S. warships since 2004.
Scheduled to become operational by the end of next year, the base — which is housed within a larger Romanian military installation — will be staffed by several hundred U.S. military, civilian and contract employees. A second site, in Poland, is scheduled to become operational by 2018. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Family Physicians Will Have To Buy Health Card Readers
Family physicians will have to buy health card readers and services unvalidated using cards will not be reimbursed, head of the National Health Insurance House Vasile Ciurchea said Thursday.
“I am confident family physicians will buy (card readers – e.n.) because it is in their interest too, not just that of the National Health Insurance House or the healthcare system in general. There will come a time when only services confirmed on health cards will be validated and the price of card readers is not a valid excuse. They cost EUR5, meaning RON22. If we consider the revenue of medical practices, I’m sure physicians will buy them,’ said Ciurchea.
He added an order will be issued making the purchase of health card readers mandatory. (Romania Libera)