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France, Germany To Vote For Bulgaria, Romania’s Two-Stage Schengen Entry – Sources

The latest discussions held in Brussels before the meeting of the Justice and Home Affair Council (JHA) on Thursday confirmed that France and Germany will vote to allow Romania and Bulgaria to join the border-free Schengen area in two stages, people close to the talks told MEDIAFAX Wednesday.

Romanian Petromservice Fmr Managers Indicted For Embezzlement

Two former managers of Romanian oil company Petromservice have been indicted for embezzlement, along with three other people charged with money laundering, the five having caused damage to the company worth more than EUR8.5 million, according to prosecutors.

Romania Is Net Beneficiary Of EU Funds – Minister

Romania's Minister of European Affairs, Leonard Orban, said the difference between the funds Romania received from the EU between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2011, and its contribution to the EU's budget is more than EUR4.9 billion.

Romanian Development Minister Wants At Least EUR1B In Redirected EU Funds

Romania’s Tourism and Regional Development Minister Elena Udrea said Wednesday she asked authorities to direct to the ministry at least EUR1 billion in EU funds other ministries failed to absorb.

Romanian Parliament Adopts Declaration On Country’s Schengen Accession

Romania’s two chambers of Parliament on Wednesday adopted a declaration on the country’s accession to the border-free Schengen area, which is still being denied by several EU states.

Romanian Unionists Protest Over Delayed Negotiations On Activity Sectors

Over 150 unionists affiliated to the "Carte Alfa" union federation and the National Union Bloc (BNS) on Wednesday protested at the headquarters of the Labor Ministry displeased that authorities have not yet regulated activity sectors.

Dutch Flower Transports Without Papers To Be Destroyed – Romanian Agric Min

Checks on the flower transports from the Netherlands stopped in Romanian customs have turned up one or two shipments without plant health passports, which will be destroyed, said Romanian Agriculture Minister Valeriu Tabara on Tuesday, adding that there are also suspicions of tax evasion.

Romania To Set 2012 GDP Growth Target In October, In Talks With IMF – PM

Romania's economic growth forecast, used in drafting the state budget for next year, will be determined by the Government in October, through consultations with the International Monetary Fund, European Commission and World Bank, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Tuesday.

Ministry Of European Affairs Can Prevent Romania From Losing EU Funds – PM

The Ministry of European Affairs will give a boost to EU fund absorption and prevent Romania from losing these funds, therefore the Parliament's vote to create the new ministry is in the country's interest, said Prime Minister Emil Boc.

Romanian Parliament Committees Endorse Minister Nominee Leonard Orban

The Romanian Parliament’s committees for administration and European affairs on Monday endorsed Minister for European Affairs nominee Leonard Orban with a majority of votes.

Romanian Authorities Seized 12 Trucks Carrying Flowers From Netherlands

Romanian authorities checked 15 trucks carrying seeds and flowers from the Netherlands in the last four days, seizing 12 transports and returning three to the supplier, fiscal regulator ANAF announced Monday.

Google Romania Becomes Full Member Of IAB Romania

Google Romania is a full member of Internet advertising association IAB Romania, as of Monday, according to a press release.

Romanian Integrity Agency Asks Prosecutors To Investigate MPs Over Possible COI

The Romanian National Integrity Agency (ANI) asked general prosecutors to investigate a possible conflict on interest in the case of several lawmakers who hired their first-degree relatives in parliamentary offices, the agency said in a press release Monday.

Romanian President Wants Workgroups For Priorities Of Strategic Partnership With USA

Romanian President Traian Basescu told private television ProTV he will hold talks with the Government next week regarding the creation of workgroups to focus on the priorities of the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between the United States and Romania.

Romanian President: Pension Indexation Impossible When Deficit Hits EUR3.6B

Romania cannot adjust pensions when it has a public pension deficit of EUR3.6 billion, Romanian President Traian Basescu told private television ProTV.

Romanian Customs Authorities Check Flower Transports From Netherlands Over Dangerous Bacteria Scare

Romanian customs authorities on Saturday are checking all seed and flower transports coming from the Netherlands, following suspicions of contamination with dangerous bacteria.

President: Romania Cannot Afford To Buy F16 Fighters, Needs Long-Term Financing Solution

Romanian President Traian Basescu told private television Pro TV he pointed out during his visit to the United States that Romania cannot afford to buy F16 fighters without a long-term financing solution.

RFI: Netherlands Block Romania, Bulgaria From Schengen Accession

The Netherlands decided Friday to block the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area, which could have begun in a few months, says Radio France Internationale (RFI).

Romania To Use Significant Share Of EU Funds For Building Thermal Rehabilitation – PM

Romania's Government plans to use a significant part of EU funds to support the building thermal rehabilitation program and will ask the authorities involved to better publicize the incentives for homeowners who begin such projects, said Prime Minister Emil Boc.

Romania Must Resume Dam Construction Program – Water Administration Manager

Romania must resume dam construction and select viable locations included in dam construction plans drawn up before 1989, David Csaba, general manager of the National Water Administration (ANAR), told a news conference Friday.

Romania To Shut Down Nuke Reactor For Minor Repairs – Sources

One of the two reactors at Romania’s sole nuclear power plant Cernavoda will be shut down Friday, for at most two days, for repairs of an equipment malfunction, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

Romania’s Wheat Production Exceeds 8 Mln Tons – Agric Min

Romanian Agriculture Minister Valeriu Tabara said Friday that the country's wheat production this year exceeds eight million tons, of which four million tons can be exported.

Cruise Ship Stuck In Sand On Bulgarian Danube Shore

A cruise ship carrying about 150 passengers is stuck on the Bulgarian shore of the Danube, upstream of Bechet in southern Romania, because of the river’s low level.

U.S. Ambassador: Romanian President Discussed F16 Purchase In Washington

U.S. Ambassador Mark Gitenstein said Thursday that one of the issues discussed by Romanian President Basescu in the USA was the purchase of F16 fighters, possibly through a regional agreement.

Romanian Fmr Minister Dan Ioan Popescu Spent RON4M From Illegally Obtained Income – Court

Romania's High Court of Justice ordered the seizure of more than 4 million lei (about EUR933,000) from the wealth of former minister Dan Ioan Popescu and his wife, as the sum the two spent derives from income obtained illegally, according to the Court’s motivation.

Romanian Lower House Committee Draws Up New Report On Stray Dog Bill

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies’ public administration committee on Wednesday drew up a new report on a draft law regarding stray dogs, and decided local authorities may take any measure concerning stray dogs, including euthanize them, only after they consult the citizens.

Romanian PM Sends Proposition For European Affairs Minister To Parliament

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc has sent the Parliament the proposition to set up the Ministry for European Affairs, the Government said in a press release Wednesday.

Romania’s Anticorruption Strategy Sets Evaluation Indicators Of Measures Preventing Corruption

Romania’s draft National Anticorruption Strategy for 2011-2014 sets a series of measures aimed to prevent corruption, such as declaring gifts, transparency in decision making, or setting a register noting code of conduct breaches by high officials and public servants.

NATO Welcomes Signing Of Antimissile Shield Agreement By Romania And USA

NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Wednesday welcomed the signing by Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of the agreement on the deployment of anti-missile interceptors in Romania.

Romanian President Says U.S. Missile Defense Shield Agreement Could Go Public In Ten Days

The U.S.-Romanian agreement on the deployment of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system in Romania signed Tuesday in Washington contains no classified clauses, President Traian Basescu said Wednesday upon his return from the States.

Dacia To Move Part Of Sandero Production To Morocco, To Build More Dusters In Romania

Carmaker Automobile Dacia will move part of its Sandero model production from Mioveni, Romania to the Renault factory in Casablanca, Morocco, in order to expand production of the Duster model, said Jacques Chauvet, Renault manager for the Euromed region and Dacia chairman.

Bitdefender Delays Listing Plans After 2012

Shareholders of IT security solutions provider Bitdefender are still considering listing on the bourse, probably after 2012, when the company will have “consistent value”, Tuesday said Florin Talpes, president of the Softwin group of companies.

Romania Prepares Aid Scheme To Support IT&C Companies Which Plan Local Investments

The Romanian Communications Ministry is working on a state aid scheme aimed to support IT&C companies which plan to further develop their business in Romania, Communications Minister Valerian Vreme told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Tourism Min Wants To Privatize Government Hotels

Romanian Regional Development and Tourism Minister Elena Udrea said Tuesday, in a meeting with tour operators, that she wants to privatize the hotels managed by the State Protocol Patrimony Administration (RA-APPS).

Romanian PM Confirms Leonard Orban To Be Appointed EU Fund Minster

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Tuesday he will send the Parliament Wednesday the proposition for presidential adviser Leonard Orban to be appointed minister of European Funds.

Romanian Ruling Coalition Endorses Leonard Orban For EU Fund Minister

Presidential adviser and former EU commissioner Leonard Orban has the ruling coalition’s approval to be appointed minister for the Coordination of European Fund Absorption, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX Tuesday.

Secretary Clinton, Romanian FM Baconschi To Sign U.S.-Romanian Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi Tuesday will sign the agreement on the deployment of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System in Romania, according to a press release on the U.S. Department of State website.

Romanian President Signs Decree Dismissing Adviser Peter Eckstein Kovacs

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday signed the decree releasing Peter Eckstein Kovacs from his duties as presidential adviser, the president’s office said in a press release.

Romanian Economy Ministry Announces First Cos To Have Private Management

Hidroelectrica, Oltchim, SNLO, Electrica Furnizare and Romarm are the first companies under the authority of the Romanian Economy Ministry to have private management, according to an official announcement.

Romania’s New Civil Code To Enter Force On October 1

Romania's new Civil Code, regarding property and non-property relationships between individuals, is to enter force on October 1.