Radu Bostan

EC Report: Romania Took Steps To Improve Judicial Procedures

Romania has taken steps to improve the efficiency of its judiciary and prepared the implementation of the four new codes, the foundation of a modern judicial process, while the National Anticorruption Department continued its probes into high-level corruption, says the EC report on justice.

Romanian PM: EU Funds For Overdue Contracts Should Be Directed To Other Projects

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc asked the ministers to penalize EU fund beneficiaries who are overdue in implementing their projects, so that the money can be diverted towards other European developments.

Romanian PM: Ministers To Terminate Late, Fraudulent EU-Funded Contracts

Romania's ministers have been tasked to terminate EU-funded contracts whose implementation is unjustifiably overdue or which have been awarded through fraudulent auctions, a decision prompted by the very low level of EU reimbursements, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Thursday.

Romanian Authorities May Fine Uninsured Homeowners Only After August 2012

Romanian local authorities will be able to fine people without mandatory home insurance only starting with August 2012, according to Law 260/2008 as amended and republished, although the Interior Ministry said the deadline was July 15, 2011.

Over 94% Of Romanian Financial Guard Employees Passed Evaluation

The results of the Romanian Financial Guard's employee evaluation show that, out of 740 registered candidates, 42 have failed the exam and will be laid off.

Romanian Mandatory Home Insurance Policies To Be Sold Through Town Halls

Romanian insurer PAID will collaborate with local authorities to sell mandatory home insurance policies, its estimates showing that 60% of the houses in the country, around five million, are not insured.

Romania To Retain Majority Packages In Strategic Companies – PM

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Monday that he supports selling minority packages in companies of strategic importance, such as Trangaz, Romgaz and Transelectrica, but the state needs to hold on to majority participations, in order to have "a strong say" in energy and other important sectors.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Romanian Health Ministry Asks Producers For 15% Lower Price On HIV, TB, Cancer Drugs

Romania's Health Ministry is asking producers to reduce the prices of drugs provided free of charge through the national healthcare programs for diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and cancer, by 15% starting with August 1, and distributors and pharmacists to reduce their markups.

Romanian President Passes Law On Maternity Leave, Child-Rearing Benefit

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday passed the law approving government emergency ordinance 111/2010 on maternity leave and child-rearing benefit.

Romanian President Passes Amended Police Statute Law

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday passed the law amending Law 360/2002 on the police statute.

Romania Will Miss Budget Gap Target, Because Of Upcoming Elections – Piraeus

Romania's Government will miss this year's budget deficit target of 4.4%, agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund, as there is a high likelihood of "fiscal slippages" before next year's parliamentary elections, say analysts from Piraeus Bank.

Romanian Local Authorities To Take Over Certain Ministry Duties – PM

Romania's administrative reorganization will begin by transferring certain duties from ministry structures to local authorities, while negotiations will continue in the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Monday.

Unions To Challenge Order For Layoffs In Romanian Financial Guard

Sebastian Oprescu, president of the Romanian National Union of Public Servants (SNFP), said Monday that he has filed a complaint with tax authority ANAF and, on Tuesday, will challenge in court ANAF head Sorin Blejnar's order to give 1063 employees prior notice of termination.

Romanian Comm Ministry Redrafts Data Retention Law, Ruled Unconstitutional In 2009

Romania's Communication Ministry is again sponsoring a bill, ruled unconstitutional in 2009, which requires telecom operators to store, for six months, certain data on calls, text messages and e-mails, that can be provided to judicial or national security authorities.

Romania To Lease, Close Over 2000 Km Of Railroad, To Save Money

Romania's Government has decided to lease 1,000 km of public railroad and close another 1,000 km, in an effort to save 109 million lei (EUR25.6 million) from the railway company budgets, as per a previous agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

Romanian Senate Reduces Punishment For Election Campaign Bribery

Romania's Senate on Wednesday adopted a law reducing the maximum sentence for bribery in an election campaign to three years from five.