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Romanian Constitutional Court Rules Magistrates Council Member Validation Illegal

Romania’s Constitutional Court in Tuesday upheld complaints by democrat liberal senators on the validation of 11 members of the High Council of Magistrates, appointed for six-year terms.

Romanian Oil Cos Cut Pump Prices On Tax Reductions

Romanian oil company OMV Petrom (SNP.RO) reduced fuel pump prices Tuesday by 0.04 lei per liter (EUR1=RON4.2684), since the Government reduced the number of taxes collected on fuel, Petrom announced.

Romania May Have Imported Dioxin-Contaminated Pork From Germany – Local Producers

Romanian pig breeders say pork contaminated with dioxin, a carcinogen, may have made its way into Romania from Germany and ask that imports from this country be stopped.

Romania’s Follow-Up Deal With IMF May Not Include Bank Exposures – Sources

Romania’s planned follow-up deal with the International Monetary Fund might not include a new agreement with the parent banks of the country’s top largest lenders, as the mother banks are maintaining their exposure at sufficiently high levels, people familiar with the negotiations said Monday.

Romania Follow-Up Deal With IMF To Focus On Money-Losing Cos – Sources

Romania’s follow-up agreement with the International Monetary Fund will comprise several key requirements meant to rein in the budget deficit and boost the economy, including a better management of the large state-run companies, people close to the negotiations said Monday.

Romanian Ruling Coalition Wants Single Round Of Elections For Mayors

Members of Romania’s ruling coalition decided Monday the Government will back changes to the local election law to allow for mayors to be elected in a single round of elections, Culture Minister Kelemen Hunor told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Govt To Extend Military Pension Recalculation Deadline Until Yearend

Members of Romania’s ruling coalition decided Monday the Government should pass an emergency decree extending the deadline for the recalculation of military pensions until December 31, 2011, MP Kelemen Hunor told MEDIAFAX.

Over One Thousand Romanian Military Retirees Protest In Bucharest

About one thousand Romanian military retirees gathered on Monday in the George Enescu square in capital Bucharest, protesting over the recalculation of military pensions, and left in a protest march to the Military Academy.

Romanian Carmakers See High Fuel Prices Driving Romanians To Fuel-Efficient Cars

Higher fuel prices will have tow main effects on Romanian drivers, who are expected to use their cars less and get cars that are more fuel-efficient, Brent Valmar, vice-president of the Romanian carmakers and importers association (APIA), said Monday.

Romania Suspends Military Pension Recalculation To Obey Court Ruling – President

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Sunday evening the Supreme Court’s ruling on military pensions must be observed and the recalculation process is suspended.

Romanian Public Road Authority Expects Over RON750 Million From Road Tax This Year

Romania's national road and highway authority CNADNR expects to earn 755.24 million lei (EUR1=RON4.2651) from road taxes this year, having earned RON669.73 million in the first 11 months of last year.

Romanian Govt Reduces Car Pollution Tax Discount Rate

Romania's Government will reduce the depreciation rate, which is a partial discount on the car tax granted to buyers of used cars depending on their state, extra features and mileage, so the tax on such cars will be higher as of 2011.

World Bank Approves EUR300M Disbursement To Romania

The World Bank on Thursday approved the disbursement to Romania of a EUR300 million installment of its EUR1 billion financial loan aimed to support structural reforms in key economic and social areas, the international institution said in a statement.

Romania Transelectrica Sees Power Consumption Rising 2% In 2011

Romanian power consumption is likely to grow by around 2% to 54.8 TWh in 2011, aided by increase demand in industry, the head of state-run power grid operator Transelectrica (TEL.RO) told MEDIAFAX.

Romania Accedes To European Space Agency Convention

Romania is to become the 19th member of the European Space Agency (ESA), as an agreement of accession to the ESA Convention was signed Thursday, in the presence of Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi and cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu.

Romanian Railroad Passenger Traffic Dn 5% In 2010

Romanian state-owned railway passenger carrier CFR Calatori reported a 5% drop in traffic in 2010, to 58 million passengers, from 61.07 million, while the state's subsidy was raised by 4%, to 1.15 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.2626), according to the company's preliminary results.

Average No. Of Employees In Romanian Defense Industry May Increase By 7% In ‘11

The Romanian Economy Ministry proposes setting the maximum number of employees at companies operating in the defense field to 1,774 this year, 7% higher compared to 2010, and increasing the salary fund allotted to the sector by 7.7%, to 37.7 million lei (EUR1=RON4.2671) from RON35 million.

Romania To Introduce Postal Voting – President

Romania will attempt to introduce postal voting, to help Romanians abroad express their political option, and will increase the number of programs meant to strengthen the diaspora's attachment to the home country, President Traian Basescu said Thursday in a meeting with ambassadors of EU states.

Upcoming Batman Film Might Be Shot In Bucharest, Romania

The next film in the Batman series – "The Dark Knight Rises" – to be directed by Christopher Nolan, might be filmed in Bucharest this spring, City Hall officials told MEDIAFAX.

More Romanian Companies To Go Bankrupt This Year – Coface

The number of insolvent Romanian companies will continue to grow this year, because the economic environment is still not “stimulating” enough, according to Coface Romania.

Romanian Porn Sites Forced To Check Users’ Age – Bill

Porn sites in Romania must ensure any adult content is accessed solely by adult users and are obliged to check user’s age before allowing access, according to a bill the Government approved Wednesday, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX Thursday.

Romania To Meet Its Commitments In Afghanistan, Focus On Post-War Reconstruction – President

Romania will continue to meet its commitments in Afghanistan and will focus on post-conflict reconstruction and on training Afghan security forces, President Traian Basescu said Thursday during a meeting with ambassadors of EU countries.

Romania Wants To Conclude Negotiations With U.S. On Missile Shield This Year – President

Romania wants to conclude negotiations with the USA on the missile defense system in 2011 and the U.S. remains a strategic partner and Romania's main security ally, President Traian Basescu said Thursday during a meeting with ambassadors of EU countries.

Romania GDP Unlikely To Match 2008 Levels Until 2013 – Coface

Romanian gross domestic product per capita is bound to remain below the 2008 level until 2013 or 2014, according to estimates of Coface ratings agency.

Romania To Continue To Support Republic Of Moldova In 2011 – President

Romania will continue to support the Republic of Moldova in 2011, President Traian Basescu said Thursday during a meeting with ambassadors of EU countries.

Romania Calls For Schengen Accession Based On EU Treaty Conditions – President

Romania demands that its Schengen accession consider the conditions agreed through European Union treaties, President Traian Basescu said Thursday during a meeting with ambassadors of EU countries.

Amended Romanian Labor Code: Rules On Collective Layoffs Do Not Apply To Public Servants

The Romanian Labor Code provisions on collective layoffs do not apply to the employees of public institutions or authorities, or to definite-period individual work contracts, according to the latest draft of the amended Code, obtained by MEDIAFAX.

Amended Romanian Labor Code: Temps May Be Paid Less Than Permanent Workers

Temporary employees may receive a lower salary than a permanent employee on the same position, although not lower than the guaranteed minimum wage, says the latest draft of Romania's amended Labor Code, obtained by MEDIAFAX.

Romania Cigarette Producers Hike Prices By RON0.3/Pack

The top three cigarette producers on the Romanian market hiked cigarette prices by 0.3 lei (EUR1=RON4.2626) per pack this week.

Romanian Govt Decides To Continue “First Home” Program In 2011

The Romanian Government on Wednesday decided the “First Home” program will continue this year with a state guarantee ceiling of EUR200 million, which might be increased in July for the second half of 2011.

Over 18,000 Romanian Military Pensions To Be Raised After Recalculation

The Romanian Defense Ministry presented on its website the situation regarding recalculated military pensions, based on income statements filed by Wednesday, which shows 25,798 pensions have been recalculated, of which 18,293 will be raised.

Romanian Pensioners To Receive Smart Cards For Discounted Long-Distance Travel

Romanian pensioners and war veterans will be issued travel smart cards, for use in county and inter-county road transport, and transport firms will be required to outfit their vehicles with card readers, according to a draft ordinance by the Ministry of Transport.

Romanian Employers Could Lower Staff Costs By Offering Voluntary Pvt Pensions As Benefits

Offering employees benefits in the form of voluntary private pensions (Pillar III) can reduce an employer’s total staff expenses by 1.1% and increase a company’s profit by 4%-5%, according to calculations of the Association for Private Pensions in Romania (APAPR).

EIU: Romania Economy To Post Weak Economic Recovery In 2011

Romanian economy is expected to grow only modestly in 2011, after a decline of 2% envisaged for 2010, while tough austerity measures are bound to face strong social opposition and could create instability, the Economist Intelligence Unit said in its latest global forecast Tuesday.

IMF Says Flexible On New Romania Loan Agreement

The International Monetary Fund will show flexibility regarding the duration of a follow-up agreement with Romania, IMF mission head Jeffrey Franks said Tuesday, without giving an exact timeframe.

Romanian Constitutional Court Upholds Gambling Regulations

Romania’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday cleared a government emergency decree issued in 2009 that raised taxes on gambling and the minimal value of share capital required for a gambling license.

World Bank To Join IMF, EU For Romania Follow-Up Deal

The World Bank is prepared to offer Romania technical and financial assistance for its planned follow-up deal with the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission, much like it did when the initial bailout package was signed two years ago, a World Bank official said Tuesday.

Romanian Apartment Prices Rise On Early Optimism

Romanian used apartment prices rose by as much as 8% since the beginning of the year, but representatives of realty ads platform imobiliare.ro expect owner ambitions to “deflate” in the near future.

Romanian PM Invites Unions, Employers To Talks On Labor Code After Failed Talks With Labor Min

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc decided to invite unions and employers for talks on the new labor code Tuesday afternoon after they demanded the resignation of Labor Minister Ioan Botis.

Romania To Reshuffle Energy Production By 2035 – Strategy

Romania plans to replace over half of its 20,437 MW installed electrical output with new units by 2035, Economy Ministry director Alexandru Sandulescu said Tuesday.