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Romanian President Sends Law On State-Church Social Assistance Partnership Back To Parliament

Romanian President Traian Basescu has asked the Parliament to re-examine the Law on the partnership between the state and churches in social services, arguing that the act should state clear rules on financing for such services and not leave that to a Government decision.

Romanian Military Pensions May Not Be Lower After Recalculation – Lower House Committee

The committee for defense in the Romanian Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday adopted an amendment to the ordinance extending the period in which military pensions will be recalculated, which says that if a pension is lower after recalculation, the pension shall retain its original value.

Romanian Lower House Committee OKs Bill On Stray Dogs

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies’ public administration committee on Tuesday adopted a bill whereby stray dogs will be kept in pounds for 30 days and local authorities will decide whether to neuter or euthanize them.

Romanian Lower House Committee Rejects Bills Reducing VAT On Basic Foods, Taxes On Low Pensions

The committee for budget and finances in the Romanian Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday rejected a bill reducing VAT on basic foods to 5%, as well as another making pensions lower than 2,000 lei (EUR1=RON4.1147) tax-exempt.

Romanian Anticorruption Dept Asks EP To Lift Immunity Of MEP Adrian Severin

Romania's National Anticorruption Department (DNA) has asked the European Parliament to lift the immunity of MEP Adrian Severin.

Romanian Antidrug Agency To Be Reorganized As Body Subordinated To Interior Min – Draft

The National Antidrug Agency (ANA) will be reorganized as a department subordinated to the Interior Ministry, according to a draft Government decision put forward by the ministry.

Romanian Carmaker Dacia Might Cease Production For A Week Due To Car Parts Shortage

Romanian carmaker Dacia, owned by French group Renault, might cease production for a few days after Easter due to shortages of car parts from earthquake and tsunami-hit Japan.

Romanian Ctrl Bker Says Social Security Cuts Good For Economy

Lowering the general social security contributions would help stimulate business competition in Romania, a central bank official said Tuesday, adding that the measure shouldn’t take too much of a toll on the government budget.

Romanian Lower Chamber Rejects Bill Renaming Roma People „Gypsies”

Romania's Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday rejected the bill proposing to replace the term "Roma" with "gypsy," put forward by democrat liberal Silviu Prigoana.

Romanian Senate Committee OKs Amendments To Bill On Internet Pornography

The Romanian Senate’s culture committee on Tuesday adopted a bill preventing and fighting internet pornography, after the normative act was sent back to the committee to be amended.

Over Half Of Romanian Mall Retailers Saw Higher Sales In ‘10

Over half of retailers active in Romanian malls posted sales increases of up to 30% in 2010, compared to 2009, according to a survey published Tuesday by real estate consultants Colliers.

Romanian Supreme Court Rules Teachers Will Receive Unpaid Salary Rights, Decision Is Binding

Romania's High Court of Justice upheld an appeal filed by the prosecutor general concerning Law 221/2008 on increasing wages in the education sector, so teachers will be paid the difference between salary rights set by the law and the real wages they received until December 31, 2009.

Some 89% Of Romanians Choose Spending Over Savings In ’11 – Poll

Some 89% of Romanians intend to spend more this year, while only 14% plan to increase their savings, according to the "Observatoire Cetelem 2011" study on consumer behavior in Europe.

Romania’s February Net Salary Dn 0.7% M-M, To RON1,414

Romania’s net average salary in February was at 1,414 lei (EUR1=RON4.1333), down 0.7% compared with the previous month, Romania’s statistics institute said Tuesday.

Romania To Draw IMF Funds Under Follow-Up Deal If Recession Lingers

Romania is not expected to use the EUR5 billion placed at its disposal under a precautionary loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission, unless the economy underperforms, according to an IMF report.

Romania Budget Deficit To Include Data From Money-Losing Cos

Romanian government will amend budget deficit calculations to include the debts of 30 state-run companies, as well as the results of investment fund Fondul Proprietatea, according to the country’s technical memorandum of understanding to a follow-up deal with the International Monetary Fund.

Renaissance Capital Consortium Scores Best In Bid For Romania Petrom SPO

A consortium led by Russia’s largest lender Renaissance Capital has won the highest score in a bid to broker the secondary offering of a 9.84% stake in Romanian dominant oil company OMV Petrom (SNP.RO), people close to the matter said Monday.

IMF To Monitor 18 Romanian Money-Bleeding Cos Under New Deal

Romanian authorities and the International Monetary Fund have agreed to increase to 18 from 10 previously the number of companies monitored under a EUR3.5 billion follow-up deal with the international institution, according to the country’s technical memorandum of understanding.

Bankrupt Bucharest Property City Mall Up For Sale At EUR29.5M

Bucharest shopping center City Mall will be put on sale at a starting price of EUR29.5 million in a second liquidation auction set for April 20, liquidator Casa de Insolventa Transilvania said Monday.

Property Websites Differ On Bucharest Apartment Price Trend

Apartment prices in Bucharest registered a significant decrease in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the year-earlier period, but real estate websites disagree on the month-on-month evolution.

Romanian Opposition To File Motions On Health, Agriculture

Romanian opposition MPs next week will file two simple motions – one on Health, in the Chamber of Deputies, the other on Agriculture, in the Senate, social democrat leader Victor Ponta announced Monday.

Romanian Govt Might Reduce Social Security Contributions From Employers – Sources

Romania's Government is considering lowering the total social security contribution rate from 44% to 41%, reducing the rate paid by the employer by three points, starting with the second half of the year, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX on Monday.

Romanian Opposition Won’t Attend Any Conf Vote Seeking Procedures

Romania’s opposition Social Liberal Union decided Monday its lawmakers will not attend any procedures whereby the Government seeks lawmakers’ confidence vote to pass a bill that caps wage hikes for teachers.

Romanian Outbound Flight Returns To Airport Due To Incident

A Romanian Tarom flight headed to Madrid returned to the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, due to an incident, airport spokesman Valentin Iordache told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Ruling Coalition Allows Govt To Seek Conf Vote On Teachers’ Wages Law

Romania’s ruling coalition decided Monday to allow the Government to seek a confidence vote in Parliament to pass a law capping teachers’ wages, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

Tourist Arrivals In Romania Rise 14.1% M-M In Feb – INS

The number of tourists entering Romania was 14.1% higher in February compared with the same month a year before, while the number of tourists accommodated was up 16.2% on the year, the National Statistical Institute, or INS, said Monday.

Romania Ranked Tenth In Europe Regarding New Shopping Center Development In 2011-2012

Romania is ranked tenth regarding new shopping center development in 2011 and 2012, with projects totaling 256,000 square meters, according to a research conducted by real estate consulting company Cushman&Wakefield.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Anticorruption Dept To Contact EP Regarding MEP Corruption Case

Romania's National Anticorruption Department (DNA) will take every legal step to clarify the case of MEP Adrian Severin, including contact with other institutions, such as the European Parliament, regarding his immunity.

Romanian PM Says New “First Home” Program To Start After Easter

Romania’s Prime Minister Emil Boc said Friday the new “First Home” program will start after Easter and its application norms will be approved in the next two weeks.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Govt Bans Wage Hikes For Teachers In 2011

The Romanian Government will freeze this year the salaries of teachers who won wage increases in court, capping them at the level in January, according to a draft act drawn up by the Government and obtained by MEDIAFAX.

Chinese SGCC Seeks Stake In Romanian Transelectrica – Sources

The State Grid Corporation of China, or SGCC, is interested in buying the 15% stake Romania plans to sell in state-owned power grid operator Transelectrica (TEL.RO), people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

Romania Imported Gas Price Rises At 2-Yr High In Jan

Romania imported in January natural gas at $399 per thousand cubic meters, the highest price since March 2009, according to data published by energy regulator ANRE.

Romanian Carmaker Dacia Registrations In France Down 15.6% In 1Q

Car registrations of Romanian carmaker Dacia in France decreased 15.6% on the year in the first quarter, to 26,517 units, on a market that grew 8.9%, according to data from the French Carmakers Association (CCFA).

Romanian Govt To Cap Education Sector Wage Hikes

Romania's Government will sponsor a bill, possibly by seeking a confidence vote in Parliament, capping salary increases for teachers, as the economy cannot cope with a 50% wage hike, said Prime Minister Emil Boc.

Romanian Interior Ministry Postpones Layoffs Planned For April 1

Romania's Ministry of Interior will postpone the layoffs initially planned for April 1, since, for the time being, it can afford to pay all its employees, ministry official Marius Militaru told MEDIAFAX on Thursday.

Romanian President Promulgates New Labor Code

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Thursday promulgated the law amending the Labor Code, the Presidency said in a press release.

One Dead, One Injured By Collapsed Wall In SE Romania

One person has died and another has been injured Thursday afternoon after a wall surrounding a cemetery in Constanta county, southeastern Romania, collapsed over them.

Percentage Of People Over 60 In Romania’s Population To Double To 39.5% By 2050

The percentage of people over 60 in Romania’s population will double over the next 40 years and will reach 39.5% by 2050, which will trigger an increase in state spending on pensions and healthcare from 13.1% of GDP in 2007 to 23.2% of GDP in 2060, according to a study by German insurer Allianz.

PwC: Half Of Romania CEOs Expect Improved Sales In Following Year

Almost half of the Romanian companies’ chief executives estimate higher sales over the next 12 months, while around 70% of them see increasing taxation as the main threat for their business, according to a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Romanian Govt To Pay About EUR300,000 To Recover Stolen Dacian Artifacts

The Romanian Government will pay about EUR300,000 to recover a gold bracelet, two iron shields and 229 gold and silver coins of Dacian origin, which were illegally taken out of Romania and recovered by German authorities, people familiar with the matter told MEDIAFAX Thursday.