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Romania On The Right Track With Ecotourism Strategies – UNWTO Oficial

Romania’s tourism strategies promoting the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube Delta are right and in line with the European trend in the tourism sector, Taleb Rifai, secretary general of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), said Monday after a meeting with Romanian Tourism Minister Elena Udrea.

Romanian Prosecutors Have Not Received EP Notification Lifting MEP Adrian Severin’s Immunity

The Romanian Anticorruption Department (DNA) has not yet received a written notification from the European Parliament on its decision to lift the immunity of MEP Adrian Severin, accused of lobbying in exchange for money, DNA said in a press release Monday.

Romania Recognizes South Sudan Independence

Romania welcomes the Republic of South Sudan's declaration of independence and recognizes the state as sovereign and independent, says a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Romanian Companies Charged EUR200 For EU Ecolabel, No Yearly Fee

Romanian companies requesting a European Union Ecolabel, to promote their "green" products and services, will pay a one-time EUR200 per product as an application processing fee and will not be required to pay a yearly fee.

Renault Group Sets Up New Company To Sell Renault, Nissan Brands In Romania

French group Renault has set up a new company, Renault Commercial Roumanie, which has taken over from Renault Nissan Romania the dealership of the Renault and Nissan brands on the Romanian market and the commercial consultancy operations carried out by Dacia Comercial.

Romanian PM: Faulty Auctions Can Impair EU Fund Absorption

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc on Saturday warned that faulty auctions and conflicts of interest among local authorities can impair the absorption of European funds and called for transparency and responsibility.

Romanian Tourism Min Plans To Expropriate Run-Down Seaside Hotels Starting This Fall

Hotel owners on Romania’s Black Sea coast, who keep their units in poor condition or closed, must be forced to open them to tourists, or be expropriated starting this fall, Regional Development and Tourism Minister Elena Udrea said Friday.

Romania’s New Ministry To Manage EU Fund Coordination, Audit Authorities – Sources

Romania's proposed Ministry of European Affairs will manage the Structural Instrument Coordination Authority (ACIS) and, probably, the Audit Authority attached to the Court of Accounts, but not the individual ministries' project management authorities.

Romanian PM Asks Ministers To Explain Missed EU Fund Absorption Targets – Sources

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc on Thursday reproached the ministers for failing to keep their promises to improve European fund absorption and asked to have a report within one week, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian President, PM Discussed Creating Ministry For EU Project Management – Sources

Romanian President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Emil Boc on Thursday discussed creating a Ministry of European Affairs, to manage projects financed with European Union funds, led by UNPR president Marian Sarbu or former EU commissioner Leonard Orban, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Govt Approves Act Introducing Extended Confiscation Of Wealth

Romania's Government has approved a bill introducing extended confiscation, an act that will be sent to the Parliament for adoption.

Over 600 Romanian Customs Workers To Be Laid Off

Over 600 National Customs Authority employees, or one third of the employees who have received a layoff notice, will be sacked based on the results of an evaluation scheduled for July 18-July 29, tax authority ANAF president Sorin Blejnar said Wednesday.

Romanian, Israeli Governments To Hold Joint Meeting On Economic Projects In November

The Governments of Romania and Israel will hold a joint meeting in November to discuss joint projects in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, defense, tourism, healthcare, environmental issues and culture, Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Wednesday after a meeting with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

Cigarette Smuggling In Romania Down To 12%, From 36% In 2009 – Official

Cigarette smuggling to Romania has dropped to 12% in May 2011, from 36.2% in 2009, following the efforts of the Customs authority, Prosecutor's office, National Anticorruption Department, cigarette producers and the press, Sorin Blejnar, head of tax authority ANAF, said Wednesday.

Romania Supports Resumption Of Direct Bilateral Negotiations In Middle East – PM

Romania maintains its position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and supports the resumption of direct negotiations between the two parties, to ensure peace in the region, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Wednesday, at the end of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Court Orders Bucharest Mayoralty To Pay Record Damage Claims To Local Businessman

Romanian businessman Costica Constanda on Wednesday won a civil trial started against the Bucharest city hall regarding a land swap contract, and the mayoralty will pay the businessman damage claims amounting to a record EUR165 million.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu To Make Rare Visits To Romania, Bulgaria – Paper

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu starts Wednesday a visit to Romania and Bulgaria, marking the first prime ministerial visit to either of those countries in about 20 years, the Jerusalem Post reported in its online edition Wednesday.

Romanian Govt Considers Replacing Car Registration Tax With Yearly Pollution Tax

Romania's Government will make a decision regarding the new version of the car pollution tax in the next two weeks, while considering a new idea – to introduce a general pollution tax applicable to all cars, Environment Minister Laszlo Borbely said Tuesday.

No. Of Romanians With Major Spending Plans Increased From Last Year – Survey

The number of Romanians who have major acquisition and spending plans for 2011 has increased compared to last year, and the main spending plan concerns vacation, according to a survey published in the 2011 Financial Annual Report launched by MEDIAFAX Tuesday.

Romanian President Passes Law On Building Rehabilitation

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday passed the law on the rehabilitation of buildings, put forward by the Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism.

Romanian PM Says Works On Transylvania Hwy Depend On Price Negotiations With U.S. Bechtel

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said U.S. Bechtel and the Transport Ministry must reach an agreement on how much a kilometer of highway will cost, according to government-set costs standards, before works on the Transylvania Highway can continue.

Romanian Govt To Focus On New SME Support Program – PM

Romanian Prime minister Emil Boc on Saturday said the Government will focus in the upcoming period on implementing a new program to support small and medium-sized businesses.

Netherlands To Grant Work Permits To Romanians, Bulgarians Only In Exceptional Cases

Romanian and Bulgarian citizens, as well as immigrants from outside the European Union, will be granted work permits in the Netherlands only in “exceptional cases”, according to a new measure adopted by the Dutch Parliament, Novinite.com reported Friday.

Romanian Subway Co Metrorex Opens Two New Stations On Mainline 4

Romanian state-run subway company Metrorex on Friday has opened to new stations on mainline 4, namely Jiului and Parc Bazilescu.

Over Half Of Romanians Do Nothing For Charity – Survey

More than half of Romanians don’t get involved in charitable acts, as 36% claim they can’t afford to do anything for charity and 19% say they are not interested, according to a survey conducted by GfK Verein in 14 countries and released Thursday.

Mobile Operators To Reduce Roaming Charges As Of July 1 – Romanian Telecom Regulator

Romanian mobile operators must reduce roaming charges for calls to other EU member states and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, starting with July 1, to no more than EUR0.35/minute for outgoing calls and EUR0.11/minute for incoming calls.

Romanian Govt Postpones Elimination Of Heating Subsidy

Romania's Government has decided to hold back the ordinance eliminating state heating subsidies, which will lead to higher heating bills, until it completes a state aid scheme for low-income households.

Eleven Romanian Sailors Threaten To Leave Vessel Detained In Malaysia- Paper

Twelve seamen, 11 Romanians and one Filipino, stranded on a detained vessel in Malaysia for over two months are threatening to abandon ship and their captain, alleging they have not been paid wages since April, the Malaysia Star reported in its online edition Wednesday.

Most Romanians Are Dissatisfied With Quality Of Life – Survey

More than 80% of Romanians are dissatisfied with their quality of life, the largest share in the 34 European and Central Asian states included in the "Life in Transition" survey conducted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Romanians Pay Near EU Average For Clothing, Less For Food

The prices of clothing, consumer electronics and personal transport equipment in Romania are close to the European Union average, but Romanians pay less for food, drink, tobacco, restaurant meals or hotel stays.

A Change Monetary Policy Likely Later In The Year – Franks

A potential change in the monetary policy is a decision that can be made later this year, not necessarily in Wednesday's board meeting of the central bank, said Jeffrey Franks, the head of the International Monetary Fund’s delegation to Romania.

Romania Will Likely Meet H1 Fiscal Targets, But Capital Spending Still Low – Franks

Romania’s low level of expenditure will most likely allow for the first half fiscal targets to be achieved, but the authorities still need to imporove the EU-related capital spending, said Jeffery Franks, head of the International Monetary Fund’s delegation to Romania.

Concerns About Greece Raised Romania’s Risk Premium In Last Few Days- Franks

Greece woes have resulted in the increase of risk premium for Romania in the last few days, but it will be some time before it can be determined whether the situation is a long-term one and what the impact will be, said Jeffrey Franks, the head of the IMF delegation to Romania.

EU Welcomes Any Initiative To Improve Romania’s Regional Fund Absorption

The European Commission said Tuesday that any initiative to improve Romania's absorption of regional funds is welcome.

Bucharest Ambulance Service Wants To Break World Record For Largest CPR Lesson

The Bucharest Ambulance Service (SABI) will attempt to break the world record for the largest CPR training class, by gathering 7000 people on Dinamo Stadium for a teaching marathon in July.

Romanian President Thanks Local Greek-Owned Banks For „Proper” Conduct

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Tuesday, after a talk with Greek President Karolos Papoulias, that the seven Greek banks on the Romanian market are operating "properly," for which he is thankful.

Greek President Karolos Papoulias Arrived In Romania For Two-Day Official Visit

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Tuesday welcomed Greek President Karolos Papoulias to the Presidential Palace in capital Bucharest.

Romanian Deputies Tacitly Adopt Bill Eliminating Tuition-Fee Seats In State Universities

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday tacitly adopted a bill put forward by ruling democrat liberal MPs Catalin Croitoru and Petru Filip which eliminates tuition-fee seats in state universities.

Romania To Reduce Foreign Military Mission Participation In 2012

Romania's Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) on Monday decided to lower the number of troops available for foreign deployment in 2012 by 106.

IMF Approves First Review Of New Loan Deal With Romania, May Disburse EUR480M

The International Monetary Fund Board on Monday approved the first review of the precautionary up deal with Romania and will make the second tranche available, worth around EUR480 million, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.