Romania To Develop New Subprogram For Acute Leukemia Patients
Romania’s Government approved, at the proposition of Health Ministry, a Government Decision amending Decision no. 124/2013 approving the national health programs for 2013 and 2014, which provides the elaboration of a subprogram for people suffering from acute leukemia.
The new subprogram will be financed from the National Sole Health Insurance Fund and provides discounts for immunophenotypic, cytogenetic and molecular biology tests used to diagnose acute leukemia. An average 800 acute leukemia patients will benefit from this program annually. (Puterea)
EC Opens Three Infringement Proceedings Against Romania
The European Commission on Thursday opened three infringement proceedings against Romania for failing to fully transpose EU legislation on rail safety, implement regulatory rules regarding investment fund managers and for its discriminatory tax treatment of foreign legal entities.
The Commission has requested Romania to amend its rules on the taxation of interest income because they restrict the free provision of services and the free movement of capital in the EU single market. Currently, resident legal entities can deduct the business expenses related to generating interest income. This results only their net income being taxed. However, legal entities established in another EU/EEA State and without a permanent establishment in Romania cannot benefit from such a deduction, and are taxed more heavily on their gross interest income obtained directly from Romania.
The Commission sees no valid justification for this different tax treatment, and considers it to be discriminatory and a restriction on the free movement of services. Therefore, it has asked Romania to amend its rules to bring them into line with EU law. The request is in the form of a Reasoned Opinion. In the absence of a satisfactory response within two months, the Commission may refer Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the press release also reads. (Romania Libera)
WTI Crude Oil Drops Below $80/ Barrel For 1st Time Since June 2012
West Texas Intermediate crude fell below $80 a barrel for the first time since June 2012 amid speculation rising U.S. supplies are exacerbating a global glut, while Brent prices, an international benchmark, fell to the lowest price since November 2010.
“Eighty is the new $100,” said Eugen Weinberg, Commerzbank’s Frankfurt-based head of commodities research. “OPEC still seems to be waiting for the market to find a bottom. For the longer-term $80 should be a solid floor.”
Brent for November settlement, which expired Thursday, October 16, declined as much as $1.18, or 1.4%, to $82.60 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange, the lowest since November 2010. The more-active December contract was down 92 cents at $83.20. The European benchmark traded at a premium of $2.74 a barrel to WTI on ICE. (Puterea)
Romania’s Natural Gas Needs Up By 42% In Case Of A 6-Month Russian Gas Supply Disruption
Romania’s natural gas needs might increase by 42% in case of a 6-month Russian gas supply disruption to Europe, according to a European Commission’s Stress Test released Thursday.
The test analyzes the impact of a disruption of Russian gas imports through the Ukrainian transit route for a period of one or six months for 38 European countries. The report also includes concrete short-term recommendations for the most vulnerable EU Member States and neighboring countries.
“This report shows that we are not waiting but do everything we can do to be prepared. For the very first time, we have a complete picture of the risks and possible solutions,” Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for Energy, Günther H. Oettinger said. (Adevarul)
Ponta Says Asking Intelligence Services To Provide Data About Political Rivals Is Illegal
Romania’s Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who is running for president, said Thursday that asking the intelligence services to provide data about one’s political rivals translates into flagrant violation of the law, adding he should also be arrested if he did that.
The premier pointed out that he would be placed under criminal investigation or sent to have a mental health checkup if he asked the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE) or the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) to provide him data about his competitors in the presidential race or about President Traian Basescu.
Ponta’s statements came in the context in which Basescu recently said on Realitatea TV that Ponta should admit he was a SIE officer. Basescu also said Ponta was in the service between 1997 and 2001 and presented as evidence a government decision signed by Adrian Nastase in 2002. Basescu added this explains why Ponta’s political career was fast-tracked. (Romania Libera)