English

Romanian Pwr Watchdog Awards CEZ First Permits For Black Sea Wind Farms

Czech state-owned power company CEZ Monday said it received from Romania’s energy regulatory authority ANRE the first greenhouse gas emission certificates for the energy produced at its wind farms near the Black Sea and delivered to the national electricity network.

Romania Must Adopt Pension Law, Pay Hospital Debts For New IMF Loan Tranche – PM

Prime Minister Emil Boc said Monday that Romania must adopt the unitary pension system law and pay the debts of its public hospitals before the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will release the sixth tranche of the loan agreed upon last year.

Car Sales On Romanian Market Might Increase In Oct, Nov – Dealers

Sales on the Romanian car market will increase in October and November, the last two months of the 2010 clunkers program, supported mainly by the fall of car voucher prices and the shrinking of the used car market, car dealers said.

Romanian Owners Of Multiple Homes, High Engine Capacity Cars Not To Receive Heating Subsidies

Romanians who own more than one home or cars with an engine capacity exceeding 1,600 cubic meters will not receive heating subsidies, the Government decided in a meeting Monday.

Romanian Chamber Of Deputies Might Retake Vote On Pension Law, After Opposition Complaints

The Standing Bureau of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies decided Monday to hold the vote on the unitary public pension system again, if the plenum approves, social democrat deputy group leader Mircea Dusa said.

July Plane Crash In SE Romania Caused By Technical Problems

The plane crash that took place on July 5 in Tuzla, in the southeastern Romanian county of Constanta, occurred due to some technical problems, and prosecutors will not start criminal investigations into the case, said the Prosecution Offices’ press bureau.

Austrian Cos Still Interested In Romania, But Require Transparency

Austrian companies are still interested to invest in Romania, but they ask for more transparency, efficiency and consistency in public administration, as well as the improvement of the legal system, according to Rudolf Lukavsky, representative of the Austrian Embassy to Bucharest.

Romanian Ex General Chitac In Coma; Receives Medical Care For Brain Tumors, Cardiac Problems

Romania’s former high-ranking General Mihai Citac is in a coma and is receiving medical care for his longtime cardiac problems and for several brain tumors doctors detected two weeks ago.

Romania’s OMV Petrom Hikes Pump Prices By Up To RON0.06/Liter

Romania’s largest oil company OMV Petrom (SNP.RO) on Monday raised its gasoline and diesel oil pump prices by 0.06 lei (EUR1=RON4.2523) and RON0.03 per liter, respectively, the company said in a statement.

Romania Registers 41 Cases Of West Nile Virus Infections

Romania has reported three new cases of infection with the West Nile virus and the total number of people affected by the virus reached 41, the Health Ministry said Monday.

Romanian Police Officers Countrywide Set Off Protests, Reduced Activity Over Wage Cuts

Romanian police officers countrywide set off protests Monday and reduced their activity over the 25% wage cut imposed by the Government in July.

Romanian Actor Horia Serbanescu Dies At 86

Romanian actor Horia Serbanescu, 86, died Sunday, at the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, hospital spokesperson Bogdan Oprita told MEDIAFAX.

More Than Half Of Romanians Have Lower Income Compared To 2009 – Survey

More than half of Romanians have lower income in 2010 compared to 2009, and this is the case of both people aged over 35, with low education, and younger people with higher education and average income, according to a survey conducted by market research company 360insights.

Many Hotels In Romania Could Be Closed In 2011; Owners Unable To Sustain Loss-Making Businesses

Many hotels in Romania might be closed in 2011 because hotel owners no longer have financial resources to sustain loss-making businesses, Tinu Sebesanu, manager of consulting company Trend Hospitality, told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Railway Co CFR Calatori To Hike Tariffs By 8% Starting September 20

Romanian state-owned passenger railway company CFR Calatori will raise railway transport tariffs by 8% starting September 20 and it will maintain discounts for commuters, school pupils and university students, the company said.

Giulesti Maternity Hospital In Bucharest Reopens Monday

Bucharest general mayor Sorin Oprescu on Sunday said renovation works at the intensive care unit for premature babies of the Giulesti maternity hospital in Bucharest were finished and the hospital will reopen Monday.

Romanian Govt Remains Open For Dialogue With Unions; Budget Constraints To Be Further Considered

The Romanian Government remains open for dialogue with unions in order to find the best solutions for their problems, but, at the same time, it will also consider the current budget constraints, the Government said in a press release issued at the end of talks with unionists on Saturday.

Romanian PM, Unionists Fail To Reach Common Ground; Protests To Go On

Talks held Saturday between Romanian unionists and Prime Minister Emil Boc failed, and unionists said they would continue protests, arguing talks brought them nothing but empty promises.

EU To Hold Conference On Roma Issue In Romania’s Capital Bucharest In October

The European Union will organize a conference in Romania’s capital Bucharest, sometime in October, to discuss programs assisting Roma people, Laszlo Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, said in an interview.

Talks Btw Romanian Labor Min, Unionists Fail; Protests To Go On

Talks held Friday between representatives of Romanian union confederations and Labor Minister Ioan Botis have failed, with unionists saying they will continue protests, as no concrete decision regarding their demands was made.

Romanian Subway Co Metrorex To Hike Tariffs By Around 8% Starting September 18

Romanian state-run subway company Metrorex will raise tariffs by around 8% starting September 18 and it will also introduce three new types of subway cards, the company said Friday.

Romanian Airline Blue Air Renounces Five Planes, Sacks 300 Employees

Romanian low-cost airline operator Blue Air gave up five of its 11 planes and sacked 300 of its 800 employees, within a restructuring process that is due to end on November 1, said Gheorghe Racaru, strategy and development manager of the group Blue Air is part of.

One Queue To File All Romanian Social Security Contribution Statements

Employers in Romania will be able to file statements on contributions to the unemployment aid fund and social pension fund either with the local Pension House or Employment Agency, and won’t have to wait in line twice, Bucharest Pension House Cristiana Dumitrache said Friday.

EIU Cuts Romania GDP Forecast To -1.2% In 2010

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has revised down its forecast on Romanian economy to minus 1.2% this year, from a decline of 0.6% previously, according to an EIU report.

EC: EU Member States Must Publish Flood Risk Maps By End-2013

The European Commission said, answering a query by Romanian social democrat MEP Daciana Sarbu, that Romania and the other member states must prepare and publish, by the end of 2013, maps on areas threatened by flooding.

Romanian Ex General Mihai Chitac Released From Prison For 4 Mos On Medical Grounds

A Bucharest court ruled to release former high-ranking General Mihai Citac from prison for four months, on medical grounds, people close to the matter said.

Bucharest Shopping Center Evacuated After Drop Ceiling Collapsed

A shopping center in Romania’s capital Bucharest was evacuated Thursday after a drop ceiling collapsed, with officials saying there were no victims.

Romania 1H Exports Rise At 2nd Fastest Pace In EU

Romanian exports rose 26% on the year to EUR17.2 billion in the January-June period, the second biggest increase in the European Union, official data showed Thursday.

Corruption Case Involving Constanta Mayor Radu Mazare Reopened; Constitutional Court Notified

The case in which Constanta mayor Radu Mazare and other public servants are tried in connection with the illegal retrocession of several land plots was reopened after prosecutors provided more information and evidence in the case.

Romanian Opposition To Challenge Pension Law At Constitutional Court

Romania’s opposition Social Democratic Party is looking at ways to challenge the IMF-required pension law, adopted by lawmakers Wednesday, at the Constitutional Court, party leader Victor Ponta said Thursday.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Environment Ministry’s Expenses To Increase By 2013

The Romanian Environment Ministry’s total expenses are seen to increase in the next three years, according to estimates in the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved by the Government Wednesday.

Romania’s Auto Market Saw 4th Biggest Decline In EU In Jan-Aug

Romania’s car market registered the fourth largest decline in the European Union in the January-August interval, of 32.2%, as the number of new car registrations across the EU dropped 3.5%, according to the Association of European Carmakers (ACEA).

EXCLUSIVE: Romania To Reduce Social Aid Spending In Next Two Years

The Romanian Labor Ministry is to lower its spending on social welfare over the next two years, from 2.74% of gross domestic product this year, to 2.30% of GDP in 2012, according to the Government’s three-year fiscal strategy, approved Wednesday.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Education Ministry’s Total Expenses To Increase By 2013

The Romanian Education Ministry’s total expenses are seen to increase in the upcoming three years and might reach 8,480 million (EUR1=RON4.2394) in 2013, from RON5,536 million in 2010, according to estimates in the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved by the Government Wednesday.

EXCLUSIVE: Romania Plans Drastic Cut In Healthcare Spending By 2013

The Romanian Government’s three-year fiscal strategy, approved Wednesday, estimates drastic cuts in the Health Ministry’s spending, from 5,081 million lei (EUR1=RON4.2394) in 2010 to as little as RON1,842 million in 2013.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Interior Ministry’s Expenses May Decrease To 1.17% Of GDP In ‘13

The Romanian Interior Ministry’s total expenditure might decrease to 1.17% of the gross domestic product in 2013, from 1.7% of GDP in 2010, according to estimates in the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved by the Government Wednesday.

EXCLUSIVE: Romania Might Lower Defense Ministry’s Total Expenses By 2013

The Romanian Defense Ministry’s total expenditure might decrease to 0.73% of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2013, from 1.29% of GDP in 2010, according to estimates in the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved by the Government Wednesday.

Romanian Parliament Adopts Pension Bill

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies Wednesday evening adopted with 170 to two votes and three abstentions the country’s new pension law.

Romanian Real Wages Estimated To Drop 3.3% In 2010, To Increase Again No Sooner Than 2013

Romanian real wages are estimated to drop by 3.3% this year, after a 1.5% decrease in 2009, and they will increase again no sooner than 2013, according to the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved by the Government Wednesday.

Romania To Leave Flat Tax Rate Unchanged At 16% Until 2013

Romanian government plans to keep the flat tax rate unchanged at 16% at least until 2013, according to the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved Wednesday.