Romania is not on the EU's black list of the most vulnerable economies. Italy, Spain, Cyprus and Hungary are on the black list, according to Hungarian media, quoted by Mediafax. The EU has placed several other countries under observation: France, Belgium, the UK, Slovenia and Bulgaria, according to Corriere della Sera, which quotes a document that will be presented by the Commissioner for Monetary Issues Olli Rehn. Romania was again on the safe side. The EU evaluation of these countries was based on ten economic indicators.

An earlier agreement among EU countries ushers in tighter control of national economies at the European level and penalties for breaking the rules. Of the 27 EU states, 25 agreed to join the new fiscal compact at the EU summit earlier in January. Only the UK and the Czech Republic refused, the Czechs giving constitutional reasons for not agreeing.

editor@romania-insider.com