English

Romanian President Calls On Govt To Reflect More On Decentralization Decree

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Saturday that governing parties should “reflect more” on the emergency decree the government passed and which allows the swift replacement of heads of decentralized services.

Truck Crashes Into Van In SE Romania, Kills 4

Four people died in a traffic accident Friday evening in southeastern Romanian locality Saligny, where a truck loaded with sand tipped over and crushed a van transporting people.

Gabriel Iosif Steps Down As Head Of Bucharest Lakes And Parks Admin

Gabriel Iosif on Friday stepped down as head of the Bucharest Lakes and Parks Administration (ALPAB), saying the economy "is going through an interesting period and this is the perfect time to seize all opportunities."

Somali Pirates Threaten To Kill Captured Tugboat Crew, Including Five Romanians

The Somali pirates who captured Italian tugboat Buccaneer on April 11 have given authorities 72 hours to begin serious negotiations, threatening to kill the 16 sailors on board, including five Romanians.

Romanian Authorized Individuals Have Until Apr 25, 2010 To Declare Themselves Active

The Romanian government decided to extend by one year, until April 25, 2010, the deadline by which authorized individuals, individual enterprises and family enterprises can decide to continue commercial activities, otherwise they will be removed from the Trade Registry.

Romania Pitesti Court Rejects Bribery Suspects’ Appeal, Remands Them Into Custody

The Pitesti Court of Appeals, southern Romania, on Friday ruled to remand into custody Central Referee Commission (CCA) former president Gheorghe Constantin, and Arges county Consumer Protection Office former manager, Cristian Libertatu.

Romanian Court Extends Preventive Arrest For Espionage Suspects

The Bucharest Court of Appeal extended, Friday, the 30-day arrest warrants for non-commissioned officer Floricel Achim and Bulgarian citizen Marinov Zikolov, who are charged with treason through the transmission of secrets and espionage.

Decentralization Ordinance To Change School Inspectors – Romanian Ed Min

Romanian education minister Ecaterina Andronescu said Friday that only school inspectors and not principals will be demoted as they are included in the ordinance changing the management of decentralized public institutions.

Moldova Rejects Proposed Romanian Ambassador

The Republic of Moldova rejected Romania’s proposal for ambassador to Chisinau, Mihnea Constantinescu, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Friday.

Romanian Carmaker Dacia Ups Output As Of Jun 15, Hires 500 People

Romanian carmaker Dacia, the local unit of France’s Renault, will increase its output as of June 15 and hire 500 people to cover demand for its local and export markets, the carmaker said Friday.

Romania To Send Additional 140-150 Troops To Afghanistan In Upcoming Months

Romania will increase its presence in Afghanistan by 140-150 troops in upcoming months, which will serve in medical, training and intelligence actions, Romanian President Traian Basescu said Friday.

Romanian Govt Accounts For Recent Public Service Decentralization Measures

The Romanian government said failure to adopt urgent measures aiming to eliminate managing positions of decentralized services would seriously affect public administration and management proceedings, and stressed its recent act on the matter is based on EC recommendations aiming to cut spending.

Romanian Ctrl Bk Injects RON4.7B In Inter-bank Market

The National Bank of Romania raised Friday the inter-bank market liquidity, lending 4.71 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.2380) in a repo operation, at an annual interest rate of 10%, banking dealers said.

Romanian President Calls For Reexamination Of Magistrates’ Statute

Romanian President Traian Basescu sent the Parliament Friday a request for the reexamination of amendments to the law on the statute of judges and prosecutors, saying that the European Commission would file a negative report if magistrates are allowed to occupy positions without a contest.

Romanian Businessman S.O. Vantu Heard Again In Bankrupt Bank Case

The Bucharest Court of Appeals on Friday subpoenaed businessman Sorin Ovidiu Vantu for hearings in the file concerning the setup of former International Development Bank, or BID.

Canada’s Sterling Ignorant Of Legal Grounds On Deal Annulment –Official

The vice-president of Canada’s Sterling Resources, Stephen Birrell, said Thursday he is not aware of any legal grounds for the deal annulment and the company’s representatives aim to take part in the hearings of the parliamentary commission investigating the document.

First Cuts In Romania Mobile Termination Rates Set For May 1

Romanian telecom regulator ANCOM on Thursday announced the first cuts in mobile termination rates will be applied starting with May 1.

Romanian Woman Sues Politicians, Calls G.W. Bush As Witness

One Romanian woman sued, in the Cluj Court of Appeal, several politicians, whom she accuses of all the crimes in the Criminal Code, while witnesses include French president Nicolas Sarkozy and former American president George Bush.

Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, Tiesto To Play Romania’s CokeLive Peninsula In July

The bands Nine Inch Nails and The Prodigy, as well as DJ Tiesto will play in the seventh edition of the Peninsula Festival – which will be organized under the CokeLive brand this year -, between July 23 and 26, in central Romanian city Targu Mures.

Romanian Health Ministry To Regulate Legal Hallucinogenic Substances

The Romanian Ministry of Health, together with the National Anti-drug Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, will analyze the situation of products with hallucinogenic effect, those not included on the list of controlled substances, since in Romania there are now several shops selling such items.

Romanian Magistrates Probe Steaua Owner’s Release

Romania’s High Council of Magistrates on Thursday decided to launch an inquiry into the release order for Steaua owner Gigi Becali, following media reports on judicial irregularities.

Romanian Fin Min, Ctrl Bk Gov Sign Letter On IMF Loan

The letter of intent on closing the loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund was signed by the Romanian finance minister Gheorghe Pogea and by the central bank governor Mugur Isarescu, Premier Emil Boc said Thursday.

Romania’s Poor Infrastructure Seen As Launch Platform For Ecotourism

Romania’s rudimentary road infrastructure in some tourist regions may very well work in favor of ecotourism development, Tourism Minister Elena Udrea said Thursday.

Romanian Transport Min Blasts Airport Construction Ordinance

Romanian transport minister Radu Berceanu said Thursday in a press conference that the Brasov Airport "is, probably, a real estate deal," adding he does not understand why back-up land is required and estimated passenger numbers are so high.

Romania Tourism Min Pledges Funds For EUR200M Spa In Bucegi Mountains

Romanian Tourism Minister Elena Udrea on Thursday pledged to financially support a project of local authorities in southern county of Dambovita to build a new mountain resort in the Bucegi Mountains.

Queensryche Return To Bucharest For June 28 Concert

American progressive metal band Queensryche will return to Romania on June 28 to hold a concert Arenele Romane in Bucharest Bucureşti, according to the band’s official website.

The Romanian Football Auth Called For Bribe Probes Two Years Ago – FRF Official

Romanian Football Federation vice-president Dumitru Dragomir told MEDIAFAX Thursday that the Federation has officially asked authorities, two years ago, to investigate referees in search of potential deeds of corruption.

Three Romanian Football Referees Under Arrest In Bribe Case

Romanian referees Marcel Savaniu, Sorin Corpodean and Marcel Lica were placed under preventive arrest Thursday for 29 days by the Arges Court, on charges of bribe taking.

Romania Needs EUR2B To Endow Hospitals With Modern Equipment

Romanian health minister Ion Bazac said Thursday that Romania needs EUR2 billion to endow public hospitals with modern medical equipment and public investments in healthcare will continue this tear despite the economic crisis.

Romania’s Econ Min: Sterling Deal Annullment Is The Right Decision

Annulling the contract allowing Canada’s Sterling Resources to exploit hydrocarbons in blocks XIII Pelican and XV Midia in the Black Sea is a right decision and Romania’s largest gas producer Romgaz might represent the country in this deal, Economy Minister Adriean Videanu said Thursday.

Two More Romanian Films At Cannes Festival This Year

Two Romanian films, “Memories from the Golden Age,” by Cristian Mungiu, and “Policeman. Adjective,” by Corneliu Porumoiu, have been selected for consideration in the Un Certain Regard category of the Cannes International Film Festival, to be held between May 13 and 24.

Romanian President Pushes For Strong Promotion Of Danube Delta In 2009

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday, at the end of meeting with Prince Albert II of Monaco at the presidential Cotroceni Palace, that the Danube Delta has not been promoted that much so far, adding that the Tourism Ministry is bound to focus on this objective this year.

Romania Receives Letter Approving IMF Loan

The International Monetary Fund sent Wednesday evening the letter approving Romania’s foreign loan request, finance minister Gheorghe Pogea told MEDIAFAX early Thursday.

Romanian President Welcomes Prince Albert II Of Monaco

Romanian President Traian Basescu welcomed Prince Albert II of Monaco at the presidential Cotroceni Palace Thursday morning.

Romanian Minimum Wage Might Reach RON1,600 Under Future Wage Grid – Labor Min

Romania’s minimum wage, which is currently at 600 lei (EUR1=RON4.2426), could reach RON1,500 - RON1,600 after the application of a new wage grid for the public sector, labor minister Marian Sarbu said late Wednesday on Realitatea TV.

Romanian Pres Says He Proposed 3 Days For Debates On Legal Codes

Romanian President Traian Basescu stated Wednesday he asked the “Stop the Codes!” NGO coalition to take three days for discussions with the two Parliament commissions working on the legal codes.

Romanian Pres Proposes 7-Day Stop In Parl Debates Over Legal Codes

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Wednesday proposed the parliament suspended for seven days the debates on the new legal Codes so that the Coalition “Stop the Codes!” can file amendments to the acts.

Romanian Government Might Take Responsibility For Unitary Wage Law – PM

The Romanian Government considers taking responsibility before Parliament for the unitary wage law in the public sector, Prime Minister Emil Boc stated Wednesday.

Three Detained In Romanian Refereeing Corruption Case

Romanian referees Marcel Savaniu, Sorin Corpodean and Marcel Lica, the suspended vice-president Central Referee Commission (CCA), were put into 24-hour custody on Wednesday by anticorruption prosecutors, in the case regarding corruption in refereeing.

IMF Sees Romanian GDP Growth At -4.1% In ‘09, 0% In ‘10

The International Monetary Fund official forecasts on Romania see the gross domestic product contracting by 4.1% in 2009, the current account deficit narrowing at 7.5% of the GDP and the inflation at 5.9% at the end of the year, according to the fund's latest World Economic Outlook.