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Romania Sept Overdue Loans Up 4.3% MM To RON6.51B

14:08, 26 Oct. 2009
Romanian overdue loans rose 4.3% on the month to 6.51 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.2877) in September, but were more than triple compared with the same month of 2008, central bank data showed Monday.

Bucharest City Hall To Ban Graffiti Outside Designated Areas – Draft Decision

13:09, 26 Oct. 2009
Bucharest City Hall proposes banning graffiti outside designated areas unless artists have permission from property owners, to avoid acts of vandalism on buildings, subway stations, phone booths or passageways.

Romania’s Constitutional Court Overrules Contestation Against President’s Candidacy For Second Term

11:20, 26 Oct. 2009
Romania’s Constitutional Court overruled the contestation against acting President Traian Basescu’s candidacy in the presidential elections, contestation based on the fact the head of state is involved in a criminal trial, the Constitutional Court said on its website Monday.

Romanian Power Holdings Setup Started In Feb – Ministry

11:09, 26 Oct. 2009
The setting up of Romania's power holdings started in February, following talks with the interested parties, according to an Economy Minister response to statement of the social democrat deputy Iulian Iancu, who said the decision is too important to be made by an ousted government.

Romanian Actor Gheorghe Dinica Closely Monitored For Severe Lung, Kidney Infection

09:49, 26 Oct. 2009
Romanian actor Gheorghe Dinica, 75, continues to receive medical care and treatment for severe lung and kidney infection at the Bucharest Floreasca Emergency Hospital and his health condition is stable, people close to the matter said.

Romania Cannot Make It Out Of The Crisis By Itself – President

19:09, 25 Oct. 2009
Romanian President Traian Basescu on Sunday said Romania cannot make it out of the economic crisis by itself, because it is not an isolated country, stressing, however, that Romania cannot turn into a "tractor" for other European countries.

Romania Launches Special Telephone Line To Report Attempted Election Fraud

18:10, 25 Oct. 2009
Romania’s Interior Ministry secretary of state Liviu Gradinaru on Sunday said the country’s emergency call service 112 will have a special telephone line to report any attempts to defraud the presidential elections.

French Band AIR To Perform In Bucharest On February 11, 2010

16:05, 25 Oct. 2009
French electronic pop duo AIR, famous for electronic plays "Kelly Watch the Stars" and "Cherry Blossom Girl," will perform in capital city Bucharest on February 11, 2010 to further promote their new album "Love 2" released in Japan, on 30 September 2009, and worldwide in the first week of October.

President Traian Basescu Delivers Lofty Speech On Romanian Armed Forces Day

15:12, 25 Oct. 2009
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Sunday in Carei, northwestern Romania, during the events celebrating the Romanian Armed Forces Day, that the Romanian Army “has a great contribution to Romania’s prestige” and is actively involved in the fight against terrorism.

Romanian Actor Gheorghe Dinica Closely Monitored For Blood Infection

12:55, 25 Oct. 2009
Romanian actor Gheorghe Dinica, 75, continues to receive medical care and treatment for blood infection at the Bucharest Floreasca Emergency Hospital, people close to the matter said.

Presidential Contender Mircea Geoana Pledges Decent Living Standard For All Romanians

18:09, 24 Oct. 2009
The leader of Romania’s leftist Social Democratic Party, Mircea Geoana, one of the main contenders for President of Romania, on Saturday said he plans to wipe out any differences between the people in urban areas and those in rural areas, so that all Romanians rejoice a decent living standard.

Romanian Media Embrace Sole Code Of Ethics

15:41, 24 Oct. 2009
The Romanian Convention of Media Organizations unanimously adopted on Saturday the sole Code of Ethics for media and also set up the group for good journalistic practices.

Romania’s Hungarian Minority Party Maintains Support For Johannis Nomination

18:58, 23 Oct. 2009
Romania’s Hungarian minority party UDMR will not vote in Parliament for the proposed Croitoru government and will continue to support Sibiu mayor Klaus Johannis for the position of prime minister, said UDMR president Marko Bela.

Romania’s PM-Designate To Seek Parliament Confidence Vote For New Cabinet

17:27, 23 Oct. 2009
Romania’s designated Prime Minister Lucian Croitoru will seek a confidence vote in Parliament for a Cabinet made up by experts and democrat liberals of the dismissed government, but which is likely to be rejected as Croitoru has failed to secure the opposition’s support.

EC Team Joins IMF, WB For Loan Review Mission To Romania

16:55, 23 Oct. 2009
A delegation of the European Commission will be in Bucharest October 28 through November 9 to assess Romania’s economic performance regarding a EUR1 billion disbursement from EU funds, the Commission said in a statement Friday.

Romania’s Transport Min Could Take Over Maritime Transport Co CFR Ferry-Boat

16:41, 23 Oct. 2009
Romania’s Transport Ministry plans to take over the stake owned by the freight division of the national railroad company CFR Marfa in maritime and coast transport company CFR Ferry-Boat and allot the company subsidies worth 13.12 million lei (EUR1=RON 4.2894) next year.

Romanian Government Adopts Legal Frame For Nov 22 Referendum

16:25, 23 Oct. 2009
The Romanian government adopted Friday two decisions allowing the organization of the referendum for the single-chamber Parliament at the same time as the first round of presidential elections on November 22, said interim Interior Minister Vasile Blaga.

Some 70% Of Romanian Cars Incompliant With Road Security Norms – Watchdog

15:19, 23 Oct. 2009
Romanian Auto Registry inspectors (RAR) checked over 66,000 cars engaged in traffic, during January 1 – October 16, 2009, and noticed technical flaws or car paper irregularities in 67% of cars, with most vehicles failing to meet road security standards, according to RAR data.

Romanian PM Upholds PM-Designate To Form New Govt

15:02, 23 Oct. 2009
Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said he offered designated Prime Minister Lucian Croitoru his political support as well as the “human resources” needed in setting up the new Executive, during a meeting held Friday at the Government.

Romanian Social Dem Leader Geoana Calls For E Europe’s Active Involvement In World Affairs

14:19, 23 Oct. 2009
Central and Eastern Europe must raise their game and contribute to global debates and not take American involvement in the region for granted, writes Romanian social democrat leader Mircea Geoana in an opinion article in the online edition of the New York Times.

President Reiterates Romania Will Return To Growth In 2010

14:00, 23 Oct. 2009
Romania will overcome the difficult economic period and will resume growth next year, President Traian Basescu said Friday.

Romanian Police Car Purchase Dispute To Be Retried – Court

13:53, 23 Oct. 2009
The Court of Bucharest has decided to retry the case in which the Romanian General Police Inspectorate (IGPR) asked for the dismissal of the fine received from the country's public procurement watchdog regarding its purchase of Logan automobiles.

ING Says IMF May Delay Loan Disbursement To Romania

12:33, 23 Oct. 2009
Romania can’t be sure that the International Monetary Fund will disburse the third tranche of a EUR13 billion loan by the due deadline in December, given the current political situation, ING Bank Romania said in a report Friday.

Romania Sept Private Lending -0.3% On Mo, -2.4% On Yr

12:25, 23 Oct. 2009
Romanian private lending fell 0.3% in real terms on the month in September to 198.9 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.2923), and was down 2.4% on the year, central bank data showed Friday.

Romania’s Second Nuclear Plant To Be Built Nearby Somes River – Sources

19:11, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania’s second nuclear plant will be built nearby Somes river, in Transylvania area, as authorities are currently evaluating four locations, government sources told MEDIAFAX Thursday.

Ford’s Romanian Unit Automobile Craiova Names New Head

19:01, 22 Oct. 2009
The board of Romania’s auto assembly plant Automobile Craiova (AUCS.RO), owned by U.S. carmaker Ford, named Valeriu Girlea as the company's general manager last week, after Lucian Lutaru resigned, the company announced Thursday.

IMF To Visit Romania Oct 28-Nov 9, Follow-Up Mission May Be Needed

18:51, 22 Oct. 2009
The International Monetary Fund will send a second mission to Romania in the October 28-November 9 period to review the country’s progress regarding a EUR13 billion loan, but cautioned a follow-up mission may be necessary to continue talks after a new government is in place, the IMF said Thursday.

Romanian President Issues Referendum Decree

18:44, 22 Oct. 2009
Romanian president Traian Basescu issued Thursday the decree organizing the referendum for a single-chamber Parliament and reducing the number of Parliament Members to at most 300, despite Parliament opposition.

IMF Mission May Arrive In Romania Next Week – Sources

16:44, 22 Oct. 2009
A mission of the International Monetary Fund to review Romania’s progress in meeting the terms related to a EUR13 billion loan is likely to arrive in Bucharest next week, people working with the IMF told MEDIAFAX Thursday.

Romanian Construction Mkt Won’t Revive Sooner Than Mid-2010

16:38, 22 Oct. 2009
The Romanian constructions market, which currently faces a severe decline, will not revive sooner than in May-June 2010, according to Claudiu Georgescu, head of the Association of Construction Material Producers in Romania, or APMCR.

Romanian Guarantee Fund OKs 6,000 “First Home” Applications, Worth 25% Of Total Budget

16:33, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania's loan guarantee fund for small and medium-sized enterprises approved until Monday 5,900 guarantee contracts for applicants in the "First Home" program, accounting for 25% of the EUR1 billion budget allotted by the government.

Romania Health Ministry Sacks 21 Hospital Managers, 14 Health Dept Heads

16:31, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania’s Health Ministry decided to sack 21 hospital managers and 14 directors coordinating public health departments in capital Bucharest and countrywide, and pointed out the decision has nothing to do with the country’s current shaky political situation.

Only 4% Of Romanians Shopped Online In 2008 – EC Research

16:26, 22 Oct. 2009
Romanians and Bulgarians are most distrustful about the cross border internet shopping in the European Union and only 4% of Romanian and 3% of Bulgarian consumers shopped online last year, according to a research conducted by the European Commission.

Romanian Magistrates’ Vote Fmr Head Lidia Barbulescu For Supreme Court President

16:24, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania’s High Council of Magistrates Thursday voted former council head Lidia Barbulescu to be president of the country’s High Court of Justice, but the appointment is to be made by the head of state.

WB May Approve 2nd EUR360M Loan To Romania By Yr-end – MOF

14:59, 22 Oct. 2009
The World Bank may approve a second EUR360 million loan of a larger EUR1 billion financial package aimed at development policies in Romania by the end of the year, the country's Finance Ministry said in a statement Thursday.

Romanian Transelectrica Employees Plan To Go On Strike Nov 2

14:17, 22 Oct. 2009
The employees of Romania’s state-owned power grid operator Transelectrica (TEL.RO) will go on warning strike Monday and plan to go on general strike indefinitely starting November 2, after the management refused to fix demands for work conditions and salaries.

Bucharest Mayor Terminates Historical Center Rehabilitation Contract With Sedesa Co

13:55, 22 Oct. 2009
Bucharest general mayor Sorin Oprescu said Thursday he has terminated the contract with Spanish company Sedesa, the contractor for rehabilitation works in Bucharest’s historical center, and a public auction will be organized for the remaining ten streets of the center that need rehabilitation.

Romanian Liberals Submit Proposition To Downsize Parliament To 316 Lawmakers

13:53, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania’s Liberal Party submitted a draft law to downsize the Parliament to just 316 lawmakers from the current 471, liberals Eugen Nicolaescu said Thursday, adding there is no need for a referendum to downsize the Parliament, but a mere legislative amendment.

U.S. VP Biden Welcomes Romania’s Support For Obama Antimissile Def Plan

13:19, 22 Oct. 2009
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday after a meeting with U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden that their talk reaffirmed that security within NATO is undividable and Biden thanked Romania for supporting the U.S.’ new antimissile defense plan.

Romanians Should Protest In The Street To Get Highways – Transports Minister

13:02, 22 Oct. 2009
The Romanian Government would allocate more money for highway construction if people demanded this in the street, Transports Minister Radu Berceanu said Thursday in the Romania Construct Forum 2009 conference, organized by MEDIAFAX.