Romanian President Klaus Iohannis explained that Romania currently does not meet the criteria for visa cancellation for the United States of America, and spoke about an information campaign and better information, writes news.ro. Klaus Iohannis, who is in the United States, said on Friday evening that everyone is joining the visa-free regime.

“Everyone joins the visa-free regime. Currently, Romania does not meet the technical criteria,” Iohannis said.

The head of state referred to information campaigns for people who are currently applying for visas in the USA.

“In order to fulfill them (technical conditions – no), there must be an awareness campaign, there must be better information for people who want to apply for visas, and I believe that in the end, if we all work hard, we will succeed. “, – said Johannis.

The denial rate for US visas requested by citizens of Romania for tourism or business purposes is 17.03% in 2021, up from 10.14% in 2020, and Romania’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program is a reduction below 3% of this indicator, according to a document released in July 2022 by the US State Department.

Klaus Iohannis on the purchase of 600 BMW cars by the Romanian police: It is unacceptable that my name and my position are involved in a case that can be technically verified

President Klaus Iohannis on Friday evening, responding to a question about the friendship between him and the head of Automobile Bavaria, from which the Romanian police will buy 600 BMW cars, said that this friendship is not important and emphasized that it is unacceptable that the name and his position to participate in such a case. Johannis added that he is waiting for checks from the state authorities.

“As for my friendship, I will tell you that it certainly did not matter, and my information about this procedure is only what appeared in open sources, that is, in the mass media. But I can tell you one thing very clearly, if there are suspicions, we have enough competent authorities to check these things,” said Klaus Iohannis, referring to the purchase of BMW cars by the Romanian police.

Yohannis said he expects the authorities to check.

“I expect that this government will check everything for blood. From my point of view, it is unacceptable that my name and my position should be involved in a matter that can be technically verified. I think it’s obvious to everyone that I have nothing to do with this purchase, but if there are any suspicions, I’m waiting for clarification, and very quickly,” Yohannis said.

According to G4Media, the tender through which the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police (IGPR) is buying 600 BMWs from Automobile Bavaria SRL, a company run by Michael Schmidt, a friend of President Klaus Iohannis, is considered “consecrated” by police unions as well as automotive publications.

The value of the contract is 98 million lei without VAT.

Iohannis: It’s reasonable to raise salaries and pensions / I don’t think it’s fair that officials are the first to benefit from such an increase

President Klaus Iohannis says he is okay with raising salaries and pensions as much as the budget allows, but it doesn’t seem entirely normal for dignitaries to be the first to benefit from those increases. The reaction came after the Senate passed an increase in the allowances of dignitaries.

“A few days ago, I said that given the high inflation, it is advisable to increase salaries and pensions, of course, as much as the budget allows. I think it’s unfair that officials are the first to benefit from such a salary increase. We could have been further behind,” Klaus Johannis, United States of America, said on Friday night.

At the plenary session of the Senate on Wednesday, 91 votes were in favor, 22 were against, and 4 abstained in favor of the draft approval of the Ordinance, which was amended to increase allowances for high-ranking persons.

Literally a few hours before, the Constitutional Court accepted the notice of the UDR on the draft laws on the improvement of the budget system, which provided for an increase in the financial support of people’s deputies.

The Senate is the first chamber to report, so the final vote will be given by the Chamber of Deputies.