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Romanian Businessman Arpad Paszkany Indicted On Corruption Charges

Romanian organized crime prosecutors in Cluj county, northwestern Romania, on Thursday indicted businessman Arpad Paszkany on charges of backing an organized crime group and resorting to blackmail to obtain illicit gains.

Romanian Min: Education Sector Laws Must Be Put Up For Public, Parliament Debate

Romania’s education minister Ecaterina Andronescu on Thursday said the laws regulating the education sector must be put up for public debate and also discussed in Parliament, arguing she wants ministry officials to complete talks with the unionists until August 14 in order to draft effective laws.

Romanian Highways Upkeep To Cost Over RON330M In 2009-2012

Romania’s national road authority CNADNR estimates the maintenance of its highways will cost 330.389 million lei (EUR1=RON4.2138), VAT not included, in the period 2009-2012.

Two Animal Waste Collectors Dead, One Badly Intoxicated In Labor Accident In NW Romania

Two employees of animal waste collector SC Protan Dej, northwestern Romania, died Wednesday night and one is severely intoxicated with ammonia vapors used to process animal waste.

Romanian Govt Asks IMF For Budget Def Target Hike

The Romanian government asked the International Monetary Fund to hike the budget deficit target for 2009 and tax exemption for the reinvested profit as economy continues to fall, and IMF officials had a "flexible" attitude regarding the deficit, as long as it is kept within sustainable limits.

Romanian Prison System Unionists Put Off Warning Strike, Start Talks

Unionists in Romania’s prison system said they decided to put off the warning strike planned for Thursday, July 30, in the wake of talks on amending the collective labor agreement, revising the budget and drawing up the necessary normative acts in the sector.

Romania PM: Unitary Wage Law Ready Until Aug 14, Govt To Assume Responsibility In Parl

Romania’s Prime Minister Emil Boc on Wednesday said the draft unitary pay law for the public sector will be completed until August 14, arguing he personally thinks the government ought to assume responsibility for the law in Parliament.

Romanian Govt Ratified Stand-By Agreement With IMF Before Meeting Fund’s Mission

The Romanian Government on Wednesday ratified the stand-by agreement with the International Monetary Fund before the meeting with the IMF mission to Bucharest, by a law draft that will be sent to the Parliament for adoption.

Wages For Govt Agencies To Be Set By Govt At Decent Level – Romanian PM

The wages for some managers or drivers within the government agencies, which currently reach sums between 4,100 lei (EUR1=RON4.2138) and RON17,600, will be brought to a reasonable level, Prime Minister Emil Boc said, adding the agencies’ revenues will go to the budget.

IMF Mission Meets Romanian Ctrl Bk Governor Wednesday

The International Monetary Fund mission in Romanian will meet Wednesday the central bank governor Mugur Isarescu and, later in the day, the group of ministers nominated to negotiate with the institution, governmental sources told MEDIAFAX.

No Of Romanians With Overdue Retail Loans Exceeding 30 Days Up 48% YY In May

The number of Romanians with retail loans overdue by more than 30 days rose by 200,000, or 47.7% on the year in May, at around 600,000 people, while overdue loans exceeding 90 days represent 82.4% of the total late payments, of 1.73 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.2138), according to central bank data.

Romanian Bks Took RON352M Short-Term Loans From Ctrl Bk In June, Highest In 3 Mos

Romanian lenders borrowed 352 million lei (EUR1=RON4.2138) in June from the central bank BNR through the lending facility, the highest level since March, the central bank said Wednesday.

Israeli Doctors Attempting To Leave Romania On Tue Had No Work License – Prosecutors

Two Israeli doctors who were applied preventive arrest in the investigation of fertility clinic Sabyc after attempting to leave Romania on Tuesday had been working without license, sanitary authorization and without the approval of the Doctors College.

Parliamentary Committee Investigating Tourism Min To Meet On Aug 4

The parliamentary committee investigating Romanian tourism minister Elena Udrea will meet on August 4 at 11 a.m. for its first meeting, head of the committee, liberal lawmaker Ludovic Orban told MEDIAFAX Wednesday.

Romanian Police Terminated Nine Car Purchase Contacts, Cut Spending By Over 60%

The Romanian General Police Department (IGPR) decided to terminate nine contracts on the purchase of police cruisers, which translates into an over 60% cut in spending, IGPR head, quaestor Petre Toba, said Wednesday, adding none of these contracts were unfolded and no payments were made so far.

CME 1H Revenues Down 38%, To $327.4M

Net revenues of Central European Media Enterprises (CME) decreased 38% in the first half of the year, to $327.4 million and the broadcasting company ended the first half with a net loss of $24.6 million over declining advertising markets, CME said in a press release Wednesday.

Romanian Mefin Sinaia Extends Furlough For 89 Employees

Romanian car parts maker Mefin Sinaia (MEF.RO) extended the furlough period by 30 days, until August 31, for 89 employees, the company announced Wednesday.

Romanian “First Home” Program Norms Came Into Force Tuesday

The new amendments to Romania's “First Home” program came into force Tuesday evening when the Government decision regarding the norms was published in the Official Journal.

Moldova Says Will Lift Visas For Romanian When EU Lifts Visas For Moldovans

The Republic of Moldova’s acting president Vladimir Voronin said Wednesday Moldova will lift visas for Romanians when the EU lifts visas for Moldovans, Moldovan paper Jurnal de Chisinau reported in its online edition.

Romanian Govt Pledges RON170M For The Judiciary In ‘09

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Tuesday said the executive pledged to allocate 170 million lei (EUR1-RON4.2012) for the judiciary in 2009, urging the magistrates not to endanger the right to justice of citizens following their protests.

Romania Presidency: Govt, Judiciary Decided Catalin Predoiu Remains Justice Minister

The Romanian government officials and legal system representatives on Tuesday decided there is no need whatsoever for justice minister Catalin Predoiu to resign or be dismissed, as previously requested by several professional organizations of magistrates, the Romanian presidency said Tuesday.

‘Tourist In Romania’ Advertising Contract Awarded

Romanian consortium made of Best Advertising&Consult SRL and Optimedia SRL was awarded a 3.6 million lei (EUR1-RON4.2012) contract to create the advertising campaign for the “Tourist in Romania” project, the tourism ministry said Monday.

Media Pro Sells Media Pro Entertainment To CME In $97.6M Deal

Central European Media Enterprises (CME) and its CEO Adrian Sarbu signed an agreement to get all the entertainment operations of MediaPro, controlled by Sarbu, in a complex deal estimated at $97.6 million by Merrill Lynch.

Romanian Govt Hikes CEC Bk Shr Cap By RON230M, Through Pft Capitalization

Romania's Government raised the share capital of state-owned lender CEC Bank by 230 million lei (EUR1=RON4.2012), at RON949.28 million, through recapitalizing part of the profit registered in 2008, following an order of the Finance minister Gheorghe Pogea.

Adrian Sarbu Appointed Chief Executive Officer Of CME

Central European Media Enterprises (CME) on Tuesday appointed its president and chief operating officer Adrian Sarbu in the position of Chief Executive Officer, the company announced.

Romanian Parl Comm Ends Hearings In Nemirschi Case, Conclusions Due Aug 10

The Romanian parliament committee probing the legitimacy of an EUR500,000 public contract assigned by environment minister Nicolae Nemirschi said on Monday that it has finished the hearings in the case and will present its report on August 10.

Romanian Education Min Reassures Tenured Teachers Won’t Be Laid Off

Romania’s education minister Ecaterina Andronescu on Tuesday said tenured teachers are not all targeted by future layoffs in the education sector, adding only unskilled staff in the sector, whose number amounts to 12,000, will be sacked.

First Tranche Of EU Loan To Romania Has 3.125% Annual Interest, Matures In 2015

The first tranche, worth EUR1.5 billion, from the total EUR5 billion loan taken by Romania from the European Union has an annual interest of 3.125% and matures in 2015.

Romanian Romgaz, Petrom, Foreign Cos Mull Leasing Black Sea Oil Blocks

Romania’s gas producer Romgaz Medias, oil company Petrom (SNP.RO) and several foreign companies are interested to lease oil blocks totaling 30,000 square kilometers in the Black Sea zone in a bid that Romania's Mineral Resources Agency ANRM will launch early November.

Romanian Civil Aviation Regulator Avg Wage Might Be Lowered 23%, To RON6,363

The average monthly wage of employees with the Romanian Civil Aviation Authority could decrease 22.7% this year compared to 2008, to 6.364 lei (EUR1=RON4.2051) from RON8,234, according to the institution’s draft budget.

Law Firm Bostina&Associatii To Provide Expropriation Legal Services For Sun Hwy Segments

Romanian law firm Bostina and Associatii will provide legal services for expropriations after the opening procedures for the works on the segments Cernavoda-Medgidia and Medgidia-Constanta of the Sun Highway in southeastern Romania have been completed.

Romanian Deputies Approve Inquiry Committee For Tourism Min

The plenary of Romania’s Chamber of Deputies approved with 103 votes in favor, none against and no abstention, the setting up of a committee to investigate how tourism minister Elena Udrea spent public money.

Romania’s Chamber of Deputies Sanctions Prosecution Of Ex-Youth Min

Romania’s Chamber of Deputies on Monday evening sanctioned with 192 votes in favor and 35 against the general prosecutor’s request to start prosecution against former youth and sports minister Monica Iacob Ridzi.

Romanian Lower House Approves Report Of Committee Investigating Ex-Youth Min

Romanian Chamber of Deputies approved by majority of votes a decision adopting the report of the committee investigating former youth and sport minister Monica Ridzi, which asks the Government, the Competition Council and the Court of Accounts to check the spending of public funds for Youth Day.

Romanian Lower House Adopts Report On Sterling’s Black Sea Lease Contract

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies approved Monday a decision by which it asks the government and other authorities to analyze the proposals of the investigation committee in the Sterling Resources case and expects a report from the legal commission on starting prosecution of former Premier.

Romanian Government To Notify Prosecutor’s Office In Sterling Probe

Romania's Government finalized the investigations in the case of the contract sealed with Canada's Sterling Resources and decided to notify the Prosecutor’s Office on the report, which shows the agreement with the Canadian company was extended to avoid other auctions.

Prosecutors To Investigate Constanta Mayor For Displaying Nazi Symbols

Romanian social democrat Radu Mazare will be investigated by prosecutors in Constanta, southeastern Romania, for displaying Nazi symbols in a fashion show in Black Sea resort Mamaia.

Romania Swine Flu Cases Climb To 107 – Health Ministry Report

Romania’s Cantacuzino Institute confirmed 46 new infections with the A/H1N1 flu virus during July 20 - 26, bringing the total number of A/H1N1 cases in Romania to 107 over the past two months, Romania's Health Ministry said in a report Monday.

Romanian Lower House Committee Sanctions Prosecution Of Ex-Youth Min

The legal committee in the Romanian Chamber of Deputies on Monday sanctioned with 18 votes in favor and one abstention the general prosecutor’s request to start prosecution against former youth and sports minister Monica Iacob Ridzi.

Romanian Democrat Liberals Back Opening Investigation On Former Youth&Sports Min

President of Romania’s Democrat Liberal Party Emil Boc on Monday said his party backs the commencement of criminal investigation in the case of former youth and sports minister Monica Iacob Ridzi, in order to give her the chance to prove her innocence in justice.