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Romanian Transport Min Blasts Airport Construction Ordinance

Romanian transport minister Radu Berceanu said Thursday in a press conference that the Brasov Airport "is, probably, a real estate deal," adding he does not understand why back-up land is required and estimated passenger numbers are so high.

Romania Tourism Min Pledges Funds For EUR200M Spa In Bucegi Mountains

Romanian Tourism Minister Elena Udrea on Thursday pledged to financially support a project of local authorities in southern county of Dambovita to build a new mountain resort in the Bucegi Mountains.

Queensryche Return To Bucharest For June 28 Concert

American progressive metal band Queensryche will return to Romania on June 28 to hold a concert Arenele Romane in Bucharest Bucureşti, according to the band’s official website.

The Romanian Football Auth Called For Bribe Probes Two Years Ago – FRF Official

Romanian Football Federation vice-president Dumitru Dragomir told MEDIAFAX Thursday that the Federation has officially asked authorities, two years ago, to investigate referees in search of potential deeds of corruption.

Three Romanian Football Referees Under Arrest In Bribe Case

Romanian referees Marcel Savaniu, Sorin Corpodean and Marcel Lica were placed under preventive arrest Thursday for 29 days by the Arges Court, on charges of bribe taking.

Romania Needs EUR2B To Endow Hospitals With Modern Equipment

Romanian health minister Ion Bazac said Thursday that Romania needs EUR2 billion to endow public hospitals with modern medical equipment and public investments in healthcare will continue this tear despite the economic crisis.

Romania’s Econ Min: Sterling Deal Annullment Is The Right Decision

Annulling the contract allowing Canada’s Sterling Resources to exploit hydrocarbons in blocks XIII Pelican and XV Midia in the Black Sea is a right decision and Romania’s largest gas producer Romgaz might represent the country in this deal, Economy Minister Adriean Videanu said Thursday.

Two More Romanian Films At Cannes Festival This Year

Two Romanian films, “Memories from the Golden Age,” by Cristian Mungiu, and “Policeman. Adjective,” by Corneliu Porumoiu, have been selected for consideration in the Un Certain Regard category of the Cannes International Film Festival, to be held between May 13 and 24.

Romanian President Pushes For Strong Promotion Of Danube Delta In 2009

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday, at the end of meeting with Prince Albert II of Monaco at the presidential Cotroceni Palace, that the Danube Delta has not been promoted that much so far, adding that the Tourism Ministry is bound to focus on this objective this year.

Romania Receives Letter Approving IMF Loan

The International Monetary Fund sent Wednesday evening the letter approving Romania’s foreign loan request, finance minister Gheorghe Pogea told MEDIAFAX early Thursday.

Romanian President Welcomes Prince Albert II Of Monaco

Romanian President Traian Basescu welcomed Prince Albert II of Monaco at the presidential Cotroceni Palace Thursday morning.

Romanian Minimum Wage Might Reach RON1,600 Under Future Wage Grid – Labor Min

Romania’s minimum wage, which is currently at 600 lei (EUR1=RON4.2426), could reach RON1,500 - RON1,600 after the application of a new wage grid for the public sector, labor minister Marian Sarbu said late Wednesday on Realitatea TV.

Romanian Pres Says He Proposed 3 Days For Debates On Legal Codes

Romanian President Traian Basescu stated Wednesday he asked the “Stop the Codes!” NGO coalition to take three days for discussions with the two Parliament commissions working on the legal codes.

Romanian Pres Proposes 7-Day Stop In Parl Debates Over Legal Codes

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Wednesday proposed the parliament suspended for seven days the debates on the new legal Codes so that the Coalition “Stop the Codes!” can file amendments to the acts.

Romanian Government Might Take Responsibility For Unitary Wage Law – PM

The Romanian Government considers taking responsibility before Parliament for the unitary wage law in the public sector, Prime Minister Emil Boc stated Wednesday.

Three Detained In Romanian Refereeing Corruption Case

Romanian referees Marcel Savaniu, Sorin Corpodean and Marcel Lica, the suspended vice-president Central Referee Commission (CCA), were put into 24-hour custody on Wednesday by anticorruption prosecutors, in the case regarding corruption in refereeing.

IMF Sees Romanian GDP Growth At -4.1% In ‘09, 0% In ‘10

The International Monetary Fund official forecasts on Romania see the gross domestic product contracting by 4.1% in 2009, the current account deficit narrowing at 7.5% of the GDP and the inflation at 5.9% at the end of the year, according to the fund's latest World Economic Outlook.

Cost Of Roaming Texts, Calls And Data Services In EU To Plummet From 1 July

The European Parliament adopted, on Wednesday, a law package, effective July 1, which will cut the maximum fees collected by mobile operators for text messages and web services while in roaming by 60%.

Foreign Investors Still Interested In Romania – Invest Agency

Foreign investors are still interested in the Romanian market, despite the international crisis, except for companies in the automotive industry which are more cautious in launching new investments, Sorin Vasilescu, a manager with Romanian agency for foreign investments ARIS, said Wednesday.

Romanian Theater Festival Organizers Call On Govt To Rediscuss Culture Ministry Budget

Organizers of Romania’s annual National Theater Festival call on the government, in an open letter, to rediscuss the budget of the ministry of Culture as the festival is close to being canceled after its budget was cut down by 78%.

Romanian Unitary Public Sector Wage Law To Keep 1 To 15 Ratio Between Min-Max Wage

Romanian deputy prime minister Dan Nica said Wednesday after a meeting of the governing coalition that the single unitary law on wages in the public sector will keep a ratio of one to 15 between the minimum and maximum salary in the sector.

Romania Posts Third Highest Budget Def In EU In ’08

Romania reported in 2008 the third highest budget deficit in percentage of the gross domestic product among EU member states, at 5.4% of the GDP, more that double compared with EU’s total deficit of 2.3% of the GDP, European Community's Statistical Office Eurostat said Wednesday.

Romanians Abroad To Be Able To Vote In EP Elections

Romanian citizens will be able to vote in the European Parliament elections even if they are temporarily abroad, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding procedures have been initiated for the organization of EP Elections, as well as the voting information campaigns for Romanian citizens abroad.

Romanian Governing Coalition Wants Criminal, Civil Codes Complete By May 15, Procedure Codes By Fall

Romanian Social Democratic Party vice-president Victor Ponta said Wednesday the country’s governing coalition decided to complete the Criminal and Civil Codes by May 15 and adopt their procedure codes by fall.

Romanian Seaside Hotels Cashed Several Million Euros During Easter – Tourism Min

Hotel owners on the Romanian seaside cashed several million euros during the Easter holiday, while tourists vacationing in northern region of Bukovina spent nearly EUR4 million during Easter, according to tourism minister Elena Udrea.

Romanian Bribery Suspects Constantin, Libertatu Remain Under Arrest

Romanian Central Referee Commission (CCA) former president Gheorghe Constantin, and Arges county Consumer Protection Office former director, Cristian Libertatu, remain under arrest, according to a decision issued by the Arges Court, which thus rejected their bids for release under judicial control.

EC Proposes European Council To Provide EUR5B Financial Aid To Romania

The European Commission agreed Tuesday to propose the European Council to provide medium-term financial assistance to Romania of up to EUR5 billion, as part of a multilateral package which will total up to EUR20 billion.

Around 70,000 Romanians Spent Easter Holiday In The Country

Around 70,000 Romanians spent the Easter holiday in resorts in the country, 10% more than in the same period of 2008, while 25,000 traveled abroad, a level similar to the one recorded last year, according to the Romanian National Tourism Agency Association (ANAT).

Romanian New Car Sales Down 56% In March 2009

Sales of new cars on the Romanian market dropped by 55.9%, to 13,484 units in March, and by 56% in the first quarter, to 29,674 units, according to the data of the Romanian Automobile Producers and Importers Association (APIA).

Romanian Social Democrats Call For Fast Parliament Debates On Citizenship Decree

Romanian social democrats call on the government to have the emergency decree regarding Romanian citizenship for Moldovans discussed with priority in Parliament and linked with the draft law already under Parliament debate, social democrat leader Mircea Geoana said Tuesday.

Romanian FM Confirms National Killed In Bolivian Shootout

The Romanian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said it received official confirmation that one of the three people killed by Bolivian police in a shootout last week was indeed of Romanian origins.

FOCUS: Over 5,000 People Attended Extraordinary Easter Concert In Bucharest

Over 5,000 people attended Sunday evening the extraordinary Easter concert organized by the Bucharest municipality, which reunited Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé, Italian artist Al Bano Carrisi, Romanian singer Marcel Pavel, as well as other artists of the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra.

Romanian Govt To Check Public Procurement Proceedings Quarterly

The Romanian government will request public institutions to draft reports on the assignment of public procurement contracts on a quarterly basis, in an attempt to closely monitor public procurement proceedings.

Chief Inspector Ionel Georgescu Takes Helm Of Romania General Anticorruption Dept- Sources

Chief inspector Ionel Georgescu was appointed head of Romania’s General Anticorruption Department (DGA), replacing prosecutor Irinel Paun, who has run the department until April 20, according to official sources.

Romanian Foreign Min To Go On Official Visit To London

Romania’s foreign minister Cristian Diaconescu will be on official visit to London Tuesday through Thursday and will meet with British counterpart David Miliband and other high officials, according to a press release of Romania’s Foreign Ministry.

Romanian Tourism To Be Promoted Under New Slogan „Romania, the land of choice” Over Next Mos

Romanian tourism will be promoted over the next months under the new slogan "Romania, the land of choice," until the national tourism brand is ready.

Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Eight Suspect In Romania High Profile Kidnapping Case

A Bucharest Court on Friday issued a 29-day arrest warrant for Marian Milea in the case where Steaua football club owner Gigi Becali was charged with kidnapping three allged car thieves.

Romania Asks Renault To Use EIB Loan Only For Testing Center, To Pay Risk Premium

Romania will ask France's Renault to use the EIB loan taken with state guarantees only for its Renault Technologie Roumanie (RTR) car testing center in Titu, and to pay an annual risk premium of 0.55% of the guarantee, which is worth EUR66.6 million, people close to the talks told Mediafax.

Around 48,500 Romanians Choose Internal Destinations For Easter Holiday

Around 48,500 Romanians have chosen to spend the Easter holiday in the country, paying a total of 25 million lei (EUR1-RON4.2185) according to the estimates of the Romanian Tourism Employers’ Federation (FPTR).

Three Romanians Arrested For Double Homicide In Italy

Three Romanian citizens were arrested following the murder of an Italian businessman and his wife in Naples, Italy, Italian news agency ANSA reported online.