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Romania May Regain „Investment Grade” Rating By ’10 – BCR

Romania could regain its status of “investment grade” by 2010, in an optimistic scenario, if it meets the conditions of the financial multilateral agreement with the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission, analysts of Romania’s largest lender BCR said Tuesday.

Romanian Businessman Gigi Becali Investigated For Forgery

Romanian businessman Gigi Becali will be tried by Bucharest sector 1 prosecutors in connection with an alleged forgery in the wealth statement submitted with his candidacy for a seat in the European Parliament, prosecution sources told MEDIAFAX Tuesday.

Romanian Opposition’s No-Confidence Motion To Be Debated Monday

The no-confidence motion "The great PDL-PSD hoax" will be presented Monday in a plenary Parliament meeting and it will be debated and voted Wednesday, according to a decision rendered by the leaders of the two chambers of Parliament.

Economic Crisis Can Evolve Into Social Crisis – Romanian President

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Tuesday that the current economic crisis can evolve into a social crisis, the way it happened in some EU states.

Fixed Radars In Romania Suspended Since Apr 24

Romanian authorities decide to suspend fixed radars across the country as of April 24 following an inquiry into allegedly faulty public procurement procedures for the radars.

Romanian Public Sector Single Salary Law Backed Strongly By PM

Romania prime minister Emil Boc said Tuesday at the Ministry of Labor, in talks about the single salary law in the public sector, that those who believe in special laws should not be in the government and secretaries of state should forget such views or resign.

Romanian Liberals To Challenge Senate Head’s CSAT Vice Presidency

The Romanian National Liberal Party will challenge, at the Constitutional Court, Government Emergency Ordinance 224 allowing Senate president Mircea Geoana to become vice president of the High Council for National Defense, said liberal MP George Scutaru.

Half Of Romanian SMEs Seriously Affected By Econ Crisis – Poll

Half of Romanian small and medium-sized firms are seriously and severely affected by the economic and financial crisis, according to a poll conducted in April by the National Council of Private SMEs in Romania.

Steaua’s Golanski Hit In The Head With Rock

Polish defender Pawel Golanski of Steaua Bucharest had to be rushed in to the hospital on Tuesday after an unknown assailant threw a rock at the team’s car and hit him in the head, police said.

EC Experts Say Romanian Govt Should Direct Investments To Workforce

European Commission experts present in Bucharest to carry out an evaluation and prepare July’s country report took part in the ministers’ meeting on the topic of Communitarian funds and suggested the Romanian Government should direct investments to the development of human resources.

Romanian Football Referee Marcel Savaniu Denied Parole

The Arges Court denied Wednesday the request for parole for Romanian football referee Marcel Savaniu, in custody for 29 days on charges of corruption.

IMF Sees Romanian Salaries Up Along With Inflation In ’09-’11

The International Monetary Fund sees Romanian salaries up 5.9% in nominal terms in 2009, up 3.9% in 2010, and up 3.5% in 2011, a growth pace similar with the average consumer price index projected increase.

Romania Health Min Calls For Solid Flu Pandemic Plan

Romania’s health minister Ion Bazac said Tuesday that all institutions within the National Committee for Emergency (CNSU) must draft an inter-sectorial flu pandemic plan within 30 days, which will be presented to the committee for further approval.

IMF Sees Romania’s GDP Growth At +5% In ’11, On Local Demand

The International Monetary Fund sees Romania’s GDP contracting by 4.1% in 2009, stagnating in 2010, before recovering to a 5% growth in 2011, amid increasing domestic demand.

Romanian Public Servants Union On Solidarity Strike With Teachers

Over 70,000 Romanian public servants affiliated with the “Sed Lex” union went on a go-slow strike Tuesday at 8 a.m., as a sign of solidarity with the teachers’ general strike, which was planned for today, but was cancelled Monday.

IMF Loan To Rebuild Investors’ Trust – Romanian Fin Min

Romania’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund was approved by all members of the IMF’s Executive Board and will be sent to the Romanian authorities, and one of the loan effects would be rebuilding the investors’ confidence in the economy, Finance Minister Gheorghe Pogea said.

Romanian National Exams Postponed To May 7, Teacher Strike Suspended

Romanian education minister Ecaterina Andronescu said Monday at the end of talks with unionists in education that the national exams set for tomorrow have been rescheduled for May 7, while the dates for the other exams are unchanged, and the strike set by teachers for Tuesday has been suspended.

Romania’s Pres Deems State Budget Has Difficulties In Covering Expenses

Romania’s President Traian Basescu said Monday the state budget has difficulties in covering all the expenses and the Finance Ministry frequently borrows money to finance the public spending.

Romanian Tourism Min To Attend Tourism Fair In UAE

Romanian tourism minister Elena Udrea will attend, between May 5 and 8 the international tourism fair Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, with the purpose of persuading Arabian businesspeople to invest in Romanian tourism, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Tourism.

Romanian Football Corruption Suspects Marcel Lica, Aurelian Bogaciu Remain Under Arrest

The suspended vice president of the Romanian Central Committee of Referees, Marcel Lica, and referee Aurelian Bogaciu remained under arrest as the Pitesti Court of Appeal allowed the prosecution appeal against the release of Lica under judicial control and rejected Bogaciu’s challenge of his arrest.

Romanian President Admits To ‘Mistakenly’ Raising Teachers’ Pay

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday said it was a mistake to promulgate the law hiking teachers’ salaries by 50% and assumed responsibility over the act, together with the political class.

Official Data Puts 100,000 Tourists At Romanian Seaside May 1

Nearly 100,000 Romanians spent their mini holiday on May 1 at the Black Sea seaside, the Tourism Ministry said in a statement Monday, rubbing out the 20,000 number forwarded by the National Tour Agencies Association.

Romania April Forex Reserves Dn EUR235M To EUR24.9B

Romanian foreign-exchange reserves fell EUR235 million in April to a total of EUR24.886 billion, the central bank said in a statement Monday.

Romanian Union Federation „Cartel Alfa” Scheduled Strike Ahead Of EP Elections

Romanian union confederation Cartel Alfa established its calendar of protests, which will include pickets, rallies and marches, union leader Bogdan Hossu said Monday during a press conference.

Romanian, Spanish Labor Mins Sign Agreement For Better Worker Mobility

The Romanian Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Security (MMFPS) concluded Monday and agreement with the Spanish Ministry of Labor and Immigration, on the facilitation of voluntary return of Romanian workers from Spain, especially the unemployed or those at risk of losing their jobs.

Romanian Teachers’ Strike Still On For May 5 – Union Official

Liviu Pop, secretary general within the Romanian Federation of Free Unions in Education (FSLI), said Monday the strike plans for Tuesday remain the same and added unions were presented with a document the unionists cannot sign, because it does not present concrete data regarding "sums or deadlines".

Leonard Cohen To Hold Concert In Bucharest On Sept 4

Canadian musician Leonard Cohen will return for a concert in Bucharest this year, on September 4, after a sold-out show in the Romanian capital last year, organizers Events said Monday.

Three Romanians Arrested In Poland After Killing 79 Year Old Woman

Three Romanian nationals have been arrested in Poland following the murder of a 79 year old woman, in Szczercow, near the town of Lodz, AFP reported.

EC Sees Romania’s ‘09 Budget Def At 5.1% Of GDP Vs 7.5% Of GDP In Previous F’cast

The European Commission revised down its forecast on Romania’s budget deficit in 2009, at 5.1% of the gross domestic product, from previously seen 7.5% of GDP, according to the Commission's economic spring forecast released Monday.

EC Sees Romania’s Average Inflation At 5.8% In ’09

The European Commission revised slightly down its forecast on Romania’s average inflation rate in 2009 to 5.8% from 5.7% it estimated in January.

EC Revises Dn Romania’s GDP Growth Forecasts To -4% In ’09, 0% In ’10

The European Commission revised downwards its forecast on Romania’s GDP growth, estimating a 4% contraction in 2009, and a stagnation in 2010, compared with its January’s estimates of 1.75% GDP growth in 2009, followed by a below 2.5% growth in 2010.

Romanian Labor Ministry In Charge Of Developing Public Sector Unitary Pay Law

Leaders of Romania’s governing coalition decided Monday the Ministry of Labor will be in charge of completing the draft single and unitary wage law for the public sector, which should be ready by the end of June, democrat liberal vice-president Gheorghe Flutur said.

EC Sees Romania’s Jobless Rate At 8% In ’09

The European Commission revised upwards its forecast on Romania’s unemployment rate in 2009, at 8%, from 7% it predicted in January.

Rescheduled Exams Will Lead To Rescheduled Strikes – Romanian Teachers’ Unions

Romanian teachers’ union members said Monday that, should the national exams be rescheduled, their strikes would be rescheduled as well, to coincide with the new exam dates.

Romanian Road Infrastructure To Catch Up With W Europe In 130 Years – Study

Romania’s road infrastructure will catch up with Western Europe in about 130 year but only if it keeps its development pace, according to a study by consultancy firm A.T. Kearney.

Strike Not A Solution For Education Sector – Romanian PM

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said on Monday that a strike “is not a solution” for the education sector right now, but that he has faith in the “maturity of teaching staff” and that the solutions to the teachers’ problems are in accordance with the current budget situation.

ArcelorMittal Galati Management Asks Govt To Step Up Infrastructure Projects

Management at Romanian steel processing plant ArcelorMittal Galati asked the Government to step up the implementation of the infrastructure projects, which would increase the demand for steel, said Sunday company general manager Augustine Kochuparampil.

Romania To Be Able To Precisely Diagnose AH1N1 Cases

Romania will receive, within 48 hours, reactives for a precise diagnosis in potential cases of infection with the AH1N1 virus, said Sunday health minister Ion Bazac, adding so far there have not been any cases of the swine flu.

Romania Ups Swine Flu Medicine Stock To 460,000 Doses

Romanian health minister Ion Bazac said Romania has the capacity to treat 460,000 people with antiviral medication, and the stock, updated Sunday, is sufficient for the current situation, since there are no suspicions of swine flu cases in Romania.

F1 Driver David Coulthard Holds Display In SE Romanian City Constanta

Scottish former F1 driver David Coulthard held a driving display behind the wheel of an RB-1 F1 racecar with a 3 l engine and 950 horsepower, Saturday in southeastern Romanian city Constanta.