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Adriean Videanu, fost ministru al economiei din România, a fost reținut la aeroportul din München cu bijuterii de 650.000 €. El nu a declarat bunurile la intrarea în Uniunea Europeană, așa cum cer regulile vamale . Videanu a spus că a fost o neînțelegere și a plătit taxele necesare. Va contesta decizia.
Translation
Adriean Videanu, the former Minister of Economy of Romania, was detained at Munich airport with jewellery valued at €650,000. He failed to declare the goods upon entering the European Union, as required by customs regulations. Videanu claimed it was a misunderstanding and has since paid the necessary duties. He plans to appeal the decision.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: Where was Adriean Videanu detained with jewellery?
He was detained at the airport in Munich.
Question 2: What did Videanu do after he was detained with the jewellery?
He said it was a misunderstanding, paid the necessary taxes, and plans to challenge the decision.
Exercise: Vocabulary
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▌05/10/2024
Former Romanian Economy Minister, Adriean Videanu, and his wife were detained at Munich Airport after attempting to pass through customs with jewellery valued at €650,000. Videanu, who served as the mayor of Bucharest and a key player in the Democratic Liberal Party, was caught with a luxury watch and a necklace, both purchased in Switzerland, en route to Romania.
The issue arose because of European Union customs regulations, which require travellers to declare and pay duties for high-value items in the first EU country they enter, not their country of residence. Videanu explained the incident as a misunderstanding, citing his unawareness of these specific regulations. "I believed I should pay the taxes in Romania, where I reside," he stated, highlighting that the items were in original packaging with receipts.
Romanian Political Figure Detained with €650,000 in Jewellery (Illustration)
German customs officials noticed the costly watch, valued at €150,000, leading to a thorough examination of the couple's luggage, where they found additional valuables, including a white gold necklace adorned with 614 diamonds, 11 onyx stones, and two emeralds—its estimated worth reaching €488,000.
Videanu paid the requested duties to reclaim the items but plans to challenge the decision, questioning the necessity of paying Value Added Tax (VAT) in Germany. "I will contest the decision administratively as I believe the taxes should be settled in my fiscal residency," he expressed.
This event adds to Videanu's history in the public eye. Recently, he and businessman Ioan Niculae were acquitted from a long-running legal case involving state gas purchases. Despite the customs issue, Videanu remains a prominent figure, known for his influence in Romania’s early 2000s political landscape and for implementing a flat tax rate during his tenure.
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