France Says Romania Doesn’t Meet Schengen Entry Conditions
The spokesperson for the French Government Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said Thursday on radio RMC Romania and Bulgaria do not meet the conditions required to join the Schengen area.
He added France is not the only country to consider Romania and Bulgaria do not meet the required conditions.
According to Journal du Dimanche, other opponents are the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Romania Gets Four Reasoned Opinions For Incompliance With EU Legislation
The European Commission on Thursday sent Romania four reasoned opinions for incompliance with the European legislation on VAT refunding, accounting rules, tax rules on non-residents’ employment income and rights for the self-employed.
The Commission has formally requested Romania to change its administrative practice of refunding VAT.
“Almost all VAT refunds claims are systematically settled with unreasonable delays, sometimes taking over 180 days. This practice is not in line with EU VAT rules which foresee that VAT should be refunded swiftly so as not to create a burden for taxpayers. Even if Member States have a certain margin of maneuver in determining refund conditions, Romanian taxpayers bear the burden of VAT for too long as a result of the current delays,” the Commission said. (Jurnal National)
Foreign Producers To Trade Gas On Romania’s Power Exchange
Romania’s government will amend the energy Law, likely next month, to allow foreign producers to trade natural gas on the local energy exchange OPCOM, the minister-delegate for Energy Constantin Nita said.
“Our goal is to become a regional energy hub and we want OPCOM to become a regional exchange as well,” Nita said.
Founded in 2000, OPCOM is controlled by state-run power grid operator Transelectrica. (Curierul National)
U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery Program Starts On October 1
The U.S. Embassy in Bucharest has announced it will be taking applications for the 2015 Diversity Visa Lottery program starting October 1.
Applications may be submitted by November 2 and winners will be announced starting March 1, 2014. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Dan Voiculescu Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison For Money Laundering
Conservative politician and media mogul Dan Voiculescu has been sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering in the privatization of Romania’s Food Research Institute.
The court sentence is not final and may be appealed.
In the same case, nutritionist Gheorghe Mencinicopschi was sentenced to six years in prison. (Adevarul)