Rating. Moody's international rating agency considers the fiscal measures recently taken by the Bucharest government to be "an important step" towards balancing the budget, but warns that any deviation from the agreed plan could undermine stabilisation efforts and exert additional downward pressure on the country's sovereign rating. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Finance, citing a report published on Wednesday by the rating agency. According to Moody's, the government's plan should reduce the deficit and slow the growth of public debt faster than previously anticipated. The agency also stresses that strict adherence to the fiscal targets set is essential for the success of the consolidation programme. Romania has a "Baa3" rating from Moody's. Until March, it was the only one of the three major rating agencies to have a "stable" outlook associated with Romania's sovereign rating.