President Says He Never Asked For Lists Of Undercover Spies
The president may not be denied access to state secrets, President Traian Basescu said, adding he never requested a list of undercover officers from the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service but only asked whether there were any officers in the Cabinet.
Basescu said he never asked for a list of undercover officers, accusing former secret service chief Teodor Melescanu of lying and spreading false information. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Ponta Says Elena Udrea And Monica Macovei Stand No Chance In Presidential Race
Victor Ponta said he will not resign his position of prime minister after President Traian Basescu said he was an undercover spy of the country’s foreign intelligence service in 1997-2001.
Asked whether he is considering the call for his resignation made by presidential candidates Elena Udrea and Monica Macovei, Ponta said: “Yes, of course, after I win the election!”
“Even if all us other candidates were to pull out, they still wouldn’t win, neither Mrs. Udrea, nor Mrs. Macovei. They couldn’t win the election if they were the only candidates so, I’m sorry, I can’t help them,” said Ponta. (Jurnalul National)
President Basescu Attends Asia-Europe Summit In Milan
Romanian President Traian Basescu will be attending the Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Milan, Italy, Thursday and Friday.
The ASEM headline theme is promoting economic cooperation between more than 50 countries who share one of world’s largest trading relationships. (Romania Libera)
Romania Seeks OECD Membership
Romania wants to become a full-rights member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Prime Minster Victor Ponta told the organization’s deputy secretary general William Danvers.
To join the organization, that comprises 34 of the world’s strongest economies, Romania must meet several standards of transparency, capacity for development and competitiveness, which entails reforms in legislation and public institutions. (Adevarul)
Economy Minister Says VAT Of 19-20% Would Be Enough
A sales tax of 19-20% would be sufficient but that depends on the level of collection of other taxes, Romanian Economy Minister Constantin Nita said.
“In time, we need to lower the VAT but that depends on the level of collection of other taxes. A VAT of 19-20% would be enough,” said Nita.
Romania raised its sales tax from 19% to 24% in the summer of 2010. (Puterea)
EC Approves Romania’s Support Scheme For Large Electricity Consumers
The European Commission on Wednesday approved a state aid scheme supporting large energy consumers, Romania’s Economy Minister Constantin Nita said.
Nita said Wednesday, at the beginning of the Government’s weekly meeting, that the Commission had just approved the support scheme, which is “good news for everybody.”
Large electricity consumers in Romania, like Alro Slatina and AlcelorMittal Galati, complained over the last years about the high cost of electricity and mostly about the government support scheme for renewable energy producers, asking for measures that would limit the impact of green certificates on energy tariffs. (Romania Libera)