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Romania’s President Wants To Enhance Partnership With U.S. Based On Unfailing Friendship

Romania’s President Traian Basescu said Wednesday, the country’s partnership with the U.S.A will be characterized by “continuity”, adding “a worthy friendship is when partners know how to share” and Romania proved it is “a reliable friend”.

Coface Sees Romania’s 2010 GDP Growth Above 0.5%

Risk management company Coface estimates Romania's economy will grow by more than 0.5% in 2010, fueled by the economic recovery in the European Union and the United States.

Romania Wants To Speed Up Deal For White Stream 2

Romania plans to speed up the signing of a trilateral agreement with Azerbaijan and Georgia for the participation in White Stream 2 pipeline project, targeting the transport of liquefied gas from Georgia to Europe via Constanta harbor, Economy Minister Adriean Videanu said Tuesday.

FOCUS: One Third Of 6,000 Bucharest Apartments Finished In ‘09 Still For Sale

Real estate developers still have almost 2,000 apartments left of the 6,000 completed in 2009 in 14 residential compounds in Bucharest and Ilfov county, according to data centralized by MEDIAFAX.

Nuclearelectrica, GE Ink Maintenance Deal Worth Up To $146M

Romanian state-run energy company Nuclearelectrica and General Electric Co. (GE) on Tuesday sealed a deal estimated at up to $146 million under which the US company will provide maintenance services for the power plant’s active nuclear reactors over the next eight years.

IMF Deal Could End Early If Romania Secures Enough Financing – Moody’s

Romania’s EUR20 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union could end earlier than scheduled, provided the authorities in Bucharest are able to secure sufficient market financing, Moody’s Investors Service said in an analysis Tuesday.

Moody’s Ups Romania 2010 GDP Forecast To 2.3% Vs 1.2%

Moody’s Investors Service revised upward its forecast on Romania's economic growth to 2.3% in 2010 from 1.2% previously, anticipating the economy will see a positive evolution starting with the second quarter.

Romanian Construction Workers Number Seen Further Dn In ’10

The number of employees in the constructions sector fell by 70,000 last year, at 350,000 employees, and is further seen decreasing in 2010, according to the Romanian Constructions Entrepreneurs Association ARACO.

Romania Lays Off Employees, Keeps Budgeted Vacant Positions – Union Leader

Cartel Alfa union leader Bogdan Hossu said Tuesday, after talks held at the Romanian Labor Ministry, that, although in 2009 there were over 100,000 vacant positions budgeted, layoffs in 2010 will also touch occupied positions.

Romania Registers 108 Deaths, 6,733 AH1N1 Infections

Romania registers 108 fatalities and 6,733 infections with the AH1N1 flu virus the AH1N1 flu virus, as one more death and 123 new infections have been reported over the past 24 hours, Romania’s Health Ministry said Tuesday.

Romania Nov Constr Output Sees 3rd Biggest Monthly Rise In EU

Romanian construction output rose 2.9% on the month in November last year, the third-highest increase in the European Union, official data showed Tuesday.

EU Study Finds 76% Of Romanians Could Not Afford Holiday Away From Home In 2008

A European Union study on living conditions in the year 2008 shows that 76% of Romanians could not afford a week’s vacation away from home, 49% could not afford a personal car, and 19% could not afford a meal with meat, chicken or fish every other day.

Romanian Tourism Min Rejects Lump Sum Tax For Tourism Agencies

Romanian Regional Development and Tourism Minister Elena Udrea told MEDIAFAX Monday she does not agree with applying the lump sum tax to tourism agencies, as their activity is not characterized by wide instances of tax evasion.

Romanian Transport Min Signs Concession Contract To Build Comarnic-Brasov Highway

Romanian Transport Minister Radu Berceanu, French construction group Vinci and Greek construction company Aktor signed Monday a 30-year concession contract to build the Comarnic-Brasov highway.

Romanian Romgaz To Resume Talks On Gas Cooperation With Gazprom

Romania’s largest gas producer Romgaz Medias and Russia’s Gazprom will resume last year’s talks on the cooperation within natural gas storage in Romania, Romgaz’s deputy general manager Lucian Stancu told MEDIAFAX Monday.

Romanian Unionists Threaten Protests Over Planned Layoffs

Cartel Alfa union leader Bogdan Hossu said Monday that unionists will begin protests next week and will urge the Government to extend the period of technical unemployment, as 200,000 employees are to be laid off starting February 1.

Romanian Public Sector Wages To Only Be Set Through Laws, Govt Decisions – Draft

The salaries of Romanian public sector personnel may only be set through laws or government decisions, and wage rights set through collective/individual labor contracts or other acts will not be considered, according to the draft decision on the application of the unitary wage law.

UK Embassy To Bucharest Announces New Visa Procedures For Foreigners In Romania, Bulgaria

The UK Embassy to Bucharest said Monday new visa procedures for citizens who want to travel to the United Kingdom will be enforced starting February 15, so that visa applications submitted by non-EU citizens present in Romania and Bulgaria will be processed in Warsaw.

Romania’s Electricity Consumption Seen Up 1% In 2010 – Transelectrica

Romania's electric power consumption might increase by 1% in 2010, after an 8.3% fall last year, according to Octavian Lohan, deputy general manager of state-owned power grid operator Transelectrica (TEL.RO).

Romanian Leu Up Vs Euro, Exch Rate Moves To New 12-Mo Peak At 4.1008

The Romanian leu edged higher against the euro in mid trade Monday and the central bank’s reference gained nearly 0.4% on the day to see a fresh 12-month peak at RON4.1008 versus the European currency.

More Than 10,000 Education Employees To Be Sacked – Unions

Romanian education union FSLI vice-president Simion Hancescu said Monday, following talks with the Labor Ministry, that more than 10,000 public education system employees would be laid off.

Somali Pirates Free Greek-Flagged Oil Tanker Crew, Including One Romanian

Somali pirates have released Greek-flagged oil tanker VLCC Maran Centaurus and its crew, which also includes one Romanian, after they received millions of dollars in ransom, a Kenya-based maritime watchdog and pirate sources said Monday.

Romanian Available Lower Chamber Seat Won By Radu Stroe

Liberal Radu Stroe obtained 70.17% of votes in the partial elections for one seat in the Romanian Lower Chamber, while democrat liberal opponent Honorius Prigoana received 29.83% of votes according to the final results presented Monday by the Electoral Office.

Romanian Health Ministry Mulls Job Cuts Among System Auxiliary Staff

Romania’s Health Minister Cseke Attila told a news conference Sunday that while specialized medical staff in the healthcare system will not be laid off, the ministry is looking at potential job cuts among auxiliary staff in the system.

Romanian Authorities Spent Up To EUR10,000 On Cell Phones, Pens, Paper Clips Last Year

Romanian public institutions and state-owned companies spent up to EUR10,000 last year on cell phones, pens and paper clips and bought cars, air conditioning, laptops and TV-sets for over EUR140 million, spending triple compared to 2007 but less than in 2008.

Romanian Tour Operators Association Objects Govt’s Lump Sum Tax Plans

Romania’s National Association of Tour Operators (ANAT) said Sunday it is deeply offended by the government’s plans to impose a lump sum tax on tour operators and travel agencies on allegations the sector is prone to tax evasion.

WB Mission To Romania To Focus On Public Sector Reform

A World Bank mission, which will be in Bucharest along similar missions from the EU and the IMF during February 20-27, will mainly target Romania’s reform of the public sector, social assistance, and the reforms in the financial sector.

Romania Finance Minister Wants Property Taxed At Real Value

Romania’s Finance Minister Sebastian Vladescu said Friday he wants property to be taxed at its real value, which would lead to taxes of thousands of euros, adding people with low income should be shielded from such taxation.

Romania Selected To Participate In 2010 European Prize For Literature

Romania was selected to participate in the 2010 edition of the European Prize for Literature (EUPL) to be awarded in November 2010, the European Commission said on its website.

Romanian Retirees Want Pension Point Set At 45% Of Average Gross Wage

The Alliance of Romanian Pensioners (APR) Friday urged the Government and the country’s lawmakers to set the pension point at 45% of the average gross wage.

Romanian Leu Firms Vs Euro, Ends At Fresh 12-Mo High

The Romanian leu widened its gains against the euro in late trade Friday and touched a fresh one-year high at RON4.0965 to the European currency toward closing, fueled by heavy forex sales from foreigners.

Romania’s EU Commissioner-Designate Endorsed Unanimously By EP Agric Commission

Romania’s proposed EU Commissioner for Agriculture Dacian Ciolos was endorsed unanimously Friday by political groups in the European Parliament, the EP’s agriculture commission head Paolo de Castro told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Govt To Impose Faster Labor Contract Registration, On EC Request

The Romanian Government has decided, on the European Commission’s request, to amend labor legislation in an effort to fight evasion, by compelling firms to register labor contracts faster - one day before work commences, instead of current 20 days from the signing of the contract.

Romania’s Unemployment Rate Will Not Exceed 10% In 2010, Might Decrease As Of April

Romania’s unemployment rate will not go over 10% in 2010, although it will continue its increase until April, and unemployment rate could stand at 8.8% or 8.9%, national employment agency ANOFM former general secretary Eugen Preda said Friday.

Romanian Commissioner-Designate Dacian Ciolos Pleased With EP Hearing Outcome

Romania’s designated European Commissioner for Agriculture, Dacian Ciolos, said Friday, after the hearing in the European Parliament, that he was pleased to witness a compelling interest and a wide range of opinions on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Romania Registers 102 Deaths, 6,470 AH1N1 Infections

Romania registers 102 fatalities and 6,470 infections with the AH1N1 flu virus, as two more deaths and 84 new infections have been reported over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said Friday.

Lump Sum Tax To Replace Minimum Tax In 2H – Official

The lump sum tax will replace the minimum tax in the second half of the year and will be applied to services subject to tax evasion, such as restaurants and beauty saloons, Friday said Mihai Gogancea-Vatasoiu, vice-president of Romania’s tax administration agency ANAF.

Romanian Leu Rises Vs Euro, Exch Rate Hits 12-Mo High At RON4.1167

The Romanian leu gained soundly against the euro in mid trade Friday, attuned to the region, and the central bank’s reference rate moved to touch a one-year high at RON4.1167 per euro.

Romanian Commissioner-Designate Dacian Ciolos Heard In EP Friday

Romania’s designated European Commissioner for Agriculture, Dacian Ciolos, will be heard Friday for three hours by the European Parliament’s Committee for Agriculture.

Romania 09 Jan-Oct Trade Gap, Sixth Biggest In EU

Romania registered the sixth largest trade deficit in the European Union bloc in the first ten months of 2009, with both exports and imports falling compared to last year, EU’s statistics office Eurostat data showed Friday.