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Romanian PM Appoints Former Athlete Doina Melinte State Secretary

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc on Friday signed the decision appointing former athlete Doina Melinte to take over the state secretary seat within the Ministry of Youth and Sports after the resignation of ex-gymnastics coach Octavian Bellu.

Romania’s Steaua Wins Home Match Against Scottish Motherwell In 3rd Prelim Round Of Europa League

Romania’s FC Steaua Bucharest secured a 3-0 home victory against Scottish team Motherwell in the first-leg meeting of the third preliminary round of Europa League.

Romania Paid Second-Lowest Minimum Wage In EU In Jan ‘09 – Eurostat

The minimum wage in Romania of EUR153 was second-lowest in the European Union in January, after Bulgaria, with a minimum wage of EUR123, according to a report of Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Commission.

Romania Won’t Meet Targets Agreed With IMF – President

President Traian Basescu Thursday said Romania cannot fulfill the targets agreed with the International Monetary Fund for 2009, as the economy contraction would be larger than projected.

Romanian Education Min, Unionists Want To Turn “Good Laws” To „Convenient” – President

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Thursday said on public radio RRA that the meeting of education minister Ecaterina Andronescu and the unionists in the sector eyes transforming a good set of laws, beneficial to the education, into a “convenient” one.

Romanian Govt Mulls Compelling Bks To Answer Loan Applications In 30 Days – Sources

The Romanian Government aims to compel banks to answer loan applications in maximum 30 days, either by amending the legislation in force or by adopting a distinct law for all types of loan applicants, official sources told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Auto Mkt Declined 58% In 1H, More Than Statistics Show -Official

The Romanian auto market declined about 58% in the first half of the year, stronger than the decline indicated by statistics which counted sales outside the country as sales on the local market, said Thursday Brent Valmar, head of the country’s Association of Carmakers and Importers (APIA).

Romanian President Wants Urgent Layoff Of 20% Of Public Servants

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Thursday said on public radio RRA the Government should hurry and lay off many public servants working for the state apparatus, suggesting that 20% of them are “useless”.

Romanian Rail Ops To Pay Differentiated Taxes To Use CFR Infrastructure

Romanian state-run rail company CFR SA will charge rail operators differentiated fees for utilizing its infrastructure, based on a series of indicators including tonnage and the distance travelled, according to a government act published Wednesday.

Romanian President Accuses Vladimir Voronin Of „Bolshevik Propaganda”

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday on public radio RRA that the results of presidential elections in the Republic of Moldova indicate the victory of the democratic opposition and accused incumbent president Vladimir Voronin of "Bolshevik propaganda.”

Romania’s Energy Watchdog Sees Gas Consumption Dn 19% In 2009

Romania’s natural gas consumption is seen down 19% in 2009, at 12.5 billion cubic meters, from 15.5 billion cubic meters a year earlier, according to the Energy Regulatory Authority's (ANRE) forecasts.

Fin Min: Romania’s GDP May Contract 8% In ‘09

Romania's finance minister Gheorghe Pogea Thursday said the gross domestic product may fall 8% this year and the forecast of a 4.1% contraction set in the agreement with the International Monetary Fund would be revised.

IMF „Flexible” In Negotiations With Romania On Wider Budget Def – Mission Head

The International Monetary Fund will be "flexible" in negotiating with Romania a wider target for the 2009 budget deficit as macroeconomic indicators worsened, but an exact figure cannot be announced yet, said Thursday Jeffrey Franks, head of the IMF mission in Romania.

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.