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EXCLUSIVE: Romania Sacks National Football Team Coach Victor Piturca

Romania’s national football team coach Victor Piturca was sacked Thursday following the meeting of the executive committee of the country’s Football Federation, Professional Football League president Dumitru Dragomir told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian’s Opp Party VP Blasts President Over Moldovan Situation

Romania’s opposition Liberal Party (PNL) vice-president, Varujan Vosganian, Thursday blasted President Traian Basescu for his indifference with respect to the situation in the Republic of Moldova and urged the latter to take an official stand as soon as possible.

Orange, Vodafone Sue Romanian IT&C Watchdog Over Data Requirement

Mobile telephony operators Orange Romania and Vodafone Romania appealed in court a decision of telecom regulator ANCOM compelling operators to provide customers with data on charged tariffs and services, ANCOM president Catalin Marinescu said Thursday.

Romanian Govt Estimates To Save Up To RON80M/Year Following Pension-Wage Cumulus Ban

The Romanian government estimates savings of 60 million lei (EUR1=RON4.1827) this year following its decision to ban public sector employees from amassing pensions and wages if their pensions top the average monthly wage, currently set at RON1,700, official sources told MEDIAFAX.

Another Romanian Journalist Expelled From Moldova

Romanian journalist Dragos Bota, of Romanian daily Gandul, was kept Wednesday night in a room on the airport in the Moldovan capital Chisinau and expelled to Romania, the journalist wrote in an article in Gandul.

Eight Romanian Parties Submitted EP Candidate Lists

Four Romanian parties standing in the European Parliament – PSD, in an alliance with PC, PDL, PNL and UDMR -, as well as four parties without representation in the EP – PRM, the Ecologist Party, the Green Party and PNTCD -, have submitted their candidate lists to the Central Electoral Office.

Two Romanian Journalists Expelled From Moldova

A reporter and a camera operator of Romanian TV station Antena 3 were expelled from the Republic of Moldova Wednesday night after they had reached the airport in Chisinau and were told they required a visa.

Danube, Rhine Commissions To Join Policies For Transp Corridor – Romanian Pres

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Thursday said the Rhine and Danube commissions should adopt a joint policy with respect with navigation regulation in view of developing the transport corridor Rhine-Main-Danube.

Moldova Said To Expel Three Romanian Journalists

The Republic of Moldova will expel three Romanian journalists in the upcoming days after Moldovan authorities accused Romania of being behind the anticommunist riots of the past days and decided to reintroduce visas for Romanians, RIA Novosti reported online.

Bucharest To Launch Tourist Bus Services

Bucharest authorities plan to join London and other European capitals in providing tourist buses to help visitors cover a high number of objectives, according to a municipal draft decision published Wednesday.

Romania Cuts Almost 3,000 Jobs This Week

Romania will scrap over 24,125 jobs between April and October, almost 3,000 more than last week, the National Employment Agency ANOFM stated Wednesday.

Romania Will Not Respond To Moldovan Provocations – PM

The Romanian Government rejects the accusations of the Moldovan authorities regarding an alleged involvement in the internal affairs of its neighbor as provocation, Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc stated Wednesday.

Debate On Romanian Liberal Motion On Education To Be Resumed Next Week

The Standing Office of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies decided that the debate on the Liberal Party’s motion on education to be resumed next Wednesday in plenary session.

One Of Four Romanians Injured In Afghanistan Released Form Hospital

Romanian corporal Eugen Vargau, injured Tuesday in Afghanistan in an incident that claimed the life of on officer and left four injured, was released from hospital Wednesday and is in good condition, the Romanian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

EU Opposed Chemical Fertilizer Subsidies – Romanian Agric Min

Romanian agriculture minister Ilie Sarbu said Wednesday that the reply issued by the European Union was negative regarding Romania’s request to subsidize Romanian farmers for chemical fertilizer.

Denmark Lifts Labor Restrictions For Romanians, Bulgarians

Denmark decided to lift labor restrictions imposed on Romanians and Bulgarian as of May 1, Romania’s employment agency ANOFM said Wednesday.

Moldova To Expel Second Romanian Diplomat After Ambassador

Moldovan authorities declared persona non grata Ioan Gaborean, minister councilor of the Romanian Embassy to the Republic of Moldova, alongside Romanian ambassador Filip Teodorescu, according to a press release posted on the website of the Moldovan Foreign Ministry.

Romanian FM Deems Moldova’s Accusations Unacceptable, Visa Plans Aberrant

The Romanian Foreign Ministry considers it is unacceptable that Moldovan communist authorities are trying to blame Romania and Romanians for their internal affairs, the ministry said in a statement.

Romanian Education Min Frowns At Teaching Staff Cut Proposition

Romanian education minister Ecaterina Andronescu said Wednesday, after a meeting of the social democrat ministers with the party leaders, that she will not accept the Ministry of Finance proposition to cut staff or salaries in education.

Romanian 1Q Mortgage Loans Demand, Half Of Mid-08 Level

The demand for mortgage loans in Romania was down more than 50% in the first quarter of 2009 compared with mid-2008, when the international crisis’ effects were not yet felt, but the demand is seen reviving this year, UniCredit Tiriac Bank retail director Zoltan Major said.

Some 30,000 Romanians To Spend Easter In Local Resorts – Tourism Agency

Over 30,000 Romanians have thus far made reservations to celebrate Easter in the country, while next week tourism agencies expect to sell another 20,000-30,000 packs, less than in the similar interval of 2008, when Easter was closer to national holiday May 1.

Fetus Considered Person At 24 Wks Under New Romanian Crim Code

Romanian lawmakers decided Wednesday to eliminate the article regarding harm to the fetus from the Criminal Code, but another article states that a 24-week old fetus is considered a person.

Moldova Is Attempting To Provoke Romania- Senate Chairman

Romanian senate chairman Mircea Geoana said Wednesday that Romania should take quick action at the level of the European Union and other structures it is part of to stop the “pathetic attempt” of Moldovan authorities to provoke Romania.

Moldova Reopens One Crossing Point On Romanian Border

Sculeni customs at the Romanian border with the Republic of Moldova was reopen Wednesday around noon after most border crossing point between the two countries were closed and people were denied access into the Republic of Moldova.

Euthanasia Punished By 1 To 5 Years Jail Time In Romania

The euthanasia of a patient, on request, will be punishable by one to five years imprisonment, as the members of the Parliament subcommittee analyzing the legal codes reduced the prison terms proposed by the Romanian Ministry of Justice.

Moldovan President Says Romanian Ambassador To Leave Country In 24 Hrs

Moldovan president Vladimir Voronin required Romanian ambassador to Chisinau Filip Teodorescu to leave Moldova in 24 hours, after he was declare persona non grata, Interfax reported.

Steaua Football Club Owner Gigi Becali To Run For MEP Despite Indictment

The vice-president of Greater Romania Party (PRM), Dan Claudiu Tanasescu, said Wednesday that Steaua football club owner Gigi Becali agreed to run for a seat in the European Parliament along PRM at the June 7 elections.

Moldova Reintroduces Visas For Romania, Romanian Ambassador Declared Persona Non Grata – Press

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin declared Romania’s ambassador to Chisinau persona non grata Wednesday, RIA Novosti reported online.

Nearly 300 People Were Denied Access Into Moldova Over Past 24 Hrs

Nearly 300 people, including over 20 journalists, were not allowed to cross the border into the Republic of Moldova in the past 24 hours and Moldovan customs officers cited different reasons

Moldova Closes Borders With Romania, Denies Access Of Journalists

Moldovan customs officers said they closed the border crossing at Sculeni, on Romania’s eastern border with the Republic of Moldova following anticommunist protests that degenerated into street fights Tuesday in the Moldovan capital Chisinau, Pro TV Chisinau reported.

Moldovan Ambassador To Romania, Called For Discussions In Chisinau

The Moldovan Ambassador to Romania, Lidia Gutu, has been summoned to Chisinau for discussions on Tuesday’s riots, the Moldovan Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MAEIE) announced, cited by BASA press.

Romania To Experience Difficult Econ Recession, Should Avoid Collapse – Moody’s

Moody's expects Romania to experience a difficult recession in 2009, but the economy should avoid a major collapse due to relatively low private sector debt and less reliance on foreign trade.

Romania Joins EU In Calling For Violence Stop In Moldova

Romania voiced support for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana’s stance on the situation in Moldova, urging both authorities and protesters to refrain from violence and provocation, Romanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

Romania’s Dacia 1Q Local Sales Plunge 59.5% To 8,682 Units

Romanian carmaker Dacia, owned by France's Renault, on Tuesday reported first quarter sales of 8,628 units on the local market, down 59.5% from 21,475 units in the corresponding period of 2008.

Romanian Auth To Decide In Sept On New Nuclear Pwr Plant’s Location – Econ Min

Romanian authorities will decide on the location of the country's new nuclear power plant in September, also planning to start the project’s development sooner than 2020, as initially scheduled, Economy Minister Adriean Videanu told a news conference Tuesday.

Lump-Sum Tax Aims At Fighting Against Tax Evasion – Romanian PM

The lump-sum tax is aimed at fighting tax evasion, and not at increasing taxation, Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Tuesday, adding that its applicability methods will be established this week, jointly with the Tax Code changes.

Romania To Adopt Euro In 2014, Sooner If Possible – PM

Romania will adopt euro by 2014, the established deadline, but it might also happen sooner if possible, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Tuesday, commenting on the International Monetary Fund's report on euro adoption presented Monday by Financial Times.

IMF Wants Romania To Monitor State Subsidized Cos – Econ Min

The International Monetary Fund asked Romania to monitor several companies receiving state subsidies, including coal mining company CNH, national uranium company and the Romanian Authority for Nuclear Activities, from the Economy Ministry’s portfolio, the minister in charge Adriean Videanu said.

Young Moldovans To Protest In Romania

Several Moldovan students studying in Romania will protest Tuesday as a sign of solidarity with anticommunist protesters involved in ample street riots in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau.

Death Toll Among Romanians In Italy Quake Rises To 5 – FM

Italian authorities confirmed Tuesday that another Romanian citizen was killed in the recent earthquake that shook L’Aquila, 100 km northeast of Rome, rising the death toll among Romanians to five, the Romanian Foreign Ministry said.