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Romania’s European Affairs Min Wants Fund Absorption Rate Of At Least 20%

Romanian Minister for European Affairs Leonard Orban said Thursday he wants Romania to reach a European fund absorption rate of at least 20% by the end of 2012.

EP Adopts Resolution Supporting Romania’s Schengen Accession

The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution asking the European Council to allow Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen Area.

Romania Contracted Projects Worth EUR4.5B Through Regional Operational Program

The EU-funded projects contracted by Romania through the regional operational program (POR) by the beginning of this week are worth EUR4.5 billion and exceed the budget allotted to the program, of EUR4.4 billion.

Romanian Govt Approves Renewable Energy Incentive Scheme

Romania's Government on Wednesday approved the ordinance providing state aid through green certificates for renewable energy production, after repeated complaints about delays from business associations in the industry.

Bulgaria, Romania To Set Up Cooperation Council For Future Joint Cabinet Meetings

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc and his Bulgarian counterpart, Boiko Borissov, decided Wednesday to set up a high-level cooperation council tasked with preparing future joint Cabinet meetings.

Romanian Health Ministry To Introduce Private Health Insurance

Romania's Health Ministry wants to introduce private health insurance, by creating private insurance houses supervised by the National Health Insurance House, said minister Ladislau Ritli on Wednesday.

Romania Signs Up Pedersen&Partners To Recruit Management For State-Owned Firms

Romania's Ministry of Economy and Pedersen&Partners Consulting on Tuesday signed the contract for counseling regarding the recruitment of private management for state-owned companies.

Romania, Bulgaria To Hold Joint Cabinet Meeting Wednesday

The Romanian and Bulgarian governments on Wednesday will convene a joint meeting in Bucharest to discuss several common projects, as well as issues concerning the two countries’ accession to the border-free Schengen Area.

EP Might Renew Support For Romania’s Schengen Area Accession

The European Parliament might reiterate this week its support for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area.

Romanian Pensioners To Sue Govt At ECHR For Violating Pension Law

Romanian pensioners will sue the Government at the European Court of Human rights (ECHR) for violating the pension law, and will stage ample protests if authorities tax pensions, National Federation of Romanian Pensioners president Preda Nedelcu said Tuesday.

Romania To Return VAT Worth A Total RON1.61B In October

Romanian tax authority ANAF on Monday said it will return value added taxes worth a total 1.61 billion lei (EUR373.9 million) in October, including RON363 million in compensations.

President: Romania Never Received Security Guarantees, Must Ensure It In Partnership With Allies

The antimissile shield elements the United States will set up in Romania have a defensive purpose, and any speculations on this matter or any attempts to cast doubt on Romania’s goodwill show lack of cooperation, President Traian Basescu said Monday at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Romanian Tax Authority To Write Off Contributors’ Penalties If They Pay Debts By Yearend

Romanian fiscal authority ANAF will write off individuals’ and companies’ debt penalties if they pay off debts and interest on overdue taxes by the end of the year, according to a Finance Ministry order.

Romanian Car Market To Drop Up To 10% In 2011 – Dealers

The Romanian car market will drop up to 10% this year compared to 2010, mainly due to lack of financing, according to car dealers.

Romania Provided EUR300M In State Aid To 20 Major Investments – PM

Romania has provided EUR300 million in state aid for 20 investment projects worth more than EUR1.1 billion, through an aid scheme approved by the European Union, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Friday in a business forum in Timisoara.

IMF Delegation To Visit Romania October 25 – November 7

A delegation of the International Monetary Fund will visit Romania between October 25 and November 7 for the third review of a EUR3.5 billion precautionary agreement signed end March.

Romanian Realitatea Media Appoints New Manager After Contract With Asesoft Denounced

Businessman Elan Schwartzenberg, owner of Romanian media group Realitatea Media, told MEDIAFAX Thursday Sorin Enache will take over the management of the group after the contract signed with IT&C group Asesoft, controlled by Sebastian Ghita, has been denounced.

Romanian Govt Prepares Poultry, Pig Welfare Legislation

Romanian farmers will receive financial aid in the amount of EUR200 million in 2011-2012, for the diesel fuel used in their activity, among other things, and the authorities are also preparing an act on "the welfare of poultry and pigs," according to Prime Minister Boc and the Minister of Agricultur

Romanian National Competitiveness Council To Develop Economic Strategy

Romania's Government will create the National Competitiveness Council, whose task will be to develop a new economic strategy concerning competitiveness and to present reports on "the economic competitiveness dynamic" twice a year.

Romania To Access EU Funds To Assist Nokia Plant’s Redundant Personnel

Romanian Labor Minister Sulfina Barbu will be in Cluj county on Thursday to discuss accessing EU funds for the Nokia plant's employees with the County Employment Agency (AJOFM) and the company's management, Prime Minister Emil Boc announced.

Unionists At Nokia Romania Put Off Negotiations On Severance Pay Until Thursday

Unionists at Nokia’s plant in Jucu, Romania, on Wednesday put off negotiations on severance pay until Thursday, when they will meet with Labor Minister Sulfina Barbu and the representatives of the local employment agency in Cluj, Nokia Metal union leader Valentin Ilcas told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Senate Tacitly Adopts Opposition’s Draft Labor Code

The Romanian Senate tacitly adopted on September 28 the draft Labor Code put forward by the opposition Social Liberal Union, the institution said Wednesday.

Romanian PM Says Govt Not Considering Cabinet Reshuffle

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Wednesday the Government has taken no institutional steps to reshuffle the Cabinet.

Romanian Govt Plan For 2012 Elections: 200 MPs From Constituencies, 100 From Party Lists

Romania's 2012 parliamentary elections will use the mixed-member proportional representation system, whereby 200 MPs will be elected by their constituencies and the remaining 100 will be allotted seats according to their party's score, says a government document obtained by ProTV.

Romanians Remain Cautious About Online Shopping – Study

Romanians are cautious regarding online shopping, believing it a risky process, says the study of Internet users, by Gemius Group.

Romania To Revise 2012 GDP Forecast On Exports Slowdown – Ctrl Bk

Romania is set to revise its economic growth forecast for 2012, as exports are expected to advance at a slower pace than in 2011, central bank governor Mugur Isarescu said Tuesday.

Minister: Romania Competitive In IT Field, Must Focus On Developing Human Resources

Romania is competitive in the IT solution field, but must focus on training specialists, Communications Minister Valerian Vreme said Tuesday at the International Digital Forum 2011 organized in Bucharest.

Dozens Of Guards At Nokia’s Plant In Romania Stage Protest Over Job Uncertainty

Dozens of guards at Nokia’s plant in Jucu, western Romania, went on a spontaneous protest Tuesday morning over the decision of the Finnish mobile company to close its local business by the end of the year.

Romanian Unionists, Nokia Representatives Start Negotiations On Severance Payment

Romanian unionists and the representatives of Nokia’s local plant on Monday started negotiations on severance payment for the 2,200 employees the Finnish mobile company will lay off by the end of the year.

Romanian Reality TV Format „Miss Country Girl” Sold In 11 Countries

The Romanian reality TV format "Miss Country Girl," produced by Media Factory and broadcast in Romania by Prima TV, has been acquired by Viasat Broadcasting and will air in 11 countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

Romanian Democrat Liberals Want Country’s Administrative Reorganization Plan Completed By End-Nov

The Romanian ruling Democratic Liberal Party’s National Standing Office should complete the project regarding the country’s administrative and territorial reorganization by the end of November, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX Sunday evening.

Romanian PM Confident Investors To Be Found In Six Months To Replace Nokia

Romania’s Prime Minister Emil Boc said Friday he is confident that, in the next six months, the Government will attract companies to continue investments in Cluj after the closing of Nokia's factory at Jucu.

EC Opens Infringement Proceedings Against Romania Over Energy Market Legislation

The European Commission has opened infringement proceedings against Romania and other member states for failing to transpose two directives, regarding the electricity and natural gas markets, and the Economy Ministry expects the process to be stopped in two months, when the rules are adopted.

IMF Approves EUR480M Disbursement To Romania

The International Monetary Fund Thursday completed the second review of Romania’s economic performance under a EUR3.5 billion precautionary loan agreement, enabling the disbursement of a new EUR480 million tranche.

Romanian Government Calls Special Meeting On Nokia Plant Shutdown

Romania's Government has called a meeting for Thursday evening to discuss mobile phone manufacturer Nokia's decision to close its plant in Jucu, Cluj county, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

EC Continues Infringement On Romania Over Waste Management Legislation

Romania on Thursday received a reasoned opinion from the European Commission, the second stage of an infringement procedure over the country’s failure to transpose EU rules on waste management into national legislation.

Romanians May Drive Cars Registered Abroad Only 90 Days – Draft

Romanian residents may not drive cars registered in other states for periods longer than 90 days, or for more than three months per year, says a draft act amending the law regarding traffic on public roads, up for debate on the Interior Ministry's website.

Romania To Sue Firms Which Contest Auctions Systematically And Hinder Investments – Minister

Romania will sue the companies which systematically block auctions and hinder infrastructure investments, and will recover in court the losses they caused, Transport Minister Anca Boagiu said Thursday.

Nokia Keeps Romanian Plant Open Until Yearend, Pays Employees Until March 2012

Nokia’s plant in Jucu, Romania, will stay open until the end of the year and employees will continue to receive wages until the end of March 2012, employees were told Thursday after the Finnish cell-phone maker announced it was shutting down its Romanian operations.

Romanian Gyms To Require Authorization From Anti-Doping Agency

Romanian gym owners will be required to obtain a certificate from the National Anti-doping Agency, valid for three years, through an application that must be filed within six months, according to a Government decision.