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No. Of Romanians With Major Spending Plans Increased From Last Year – Survey

The number of Romanians who have major acquisition and spending plans for 2011 has increased compared to last year, and the main spending plan concerns vacation, according to a survey published in the 2011 Financial Annual Report launched by MEDIAFAX Tuesday.

Romanian President Passes Law On Building Rehabilitation

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday passed the law on the rehabilitation of buildings, put forward by the Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism.

Romanian PM Says Works On Transylvania Hwy Depend On Price Negotiations With U.S. Bechtel

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said U.S. Bechtel and the Transport Ministry must reach an agreement on how much a kilometer of highway will cost, according to government-set costs standards, before works on the Transylvania Highway can continue.

Romanian Govt To Focus On New SME Support Program – PM

Romanian Prime minister Emil Boc on Saturday said the Government will focus in the upcoming period on implementing a new program to support small and medium-sized businesses.

Netherlands To Grant Work Permits To Romanians, Bulgarians Only In Exceptional Cases

Romanian and Bulgarian citizens, as well as immigrants from outside the European Union, will be granted work permits in the Netherlands only in “exceptional cases”, according to a new measure adopted by the Dutch Parliament, Novinite.com reported Friday.

Romanian Subway Co Metrorex Opens Two New Stations On Mainline 4

Romanian state-run subway company Metrorex on Friday has opened to new stations on mainline 4, namely Jiului and Parc Bazilescu.

Over Half Of Romanians Do Nothing For Charity – Survey

More than half of Romanians don’t get involved in charitable acts, as 36% claim they can’t afford to do anything for charity and 19% say they are not interested, according to a survey conducted by GfK Verein in 14 countries and released Thursday.

Mobile Operators To Reduce Roaming Charges As Of July 1 – Romanian Telecom Regulator

Romanian mobile operators must reduce roaming charges for calls to other EU member states and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, starting with July 1, to no more than EUR0.35/minute for outgoing calls and EUR0.11/minute for incoming calls.

Romanian Govt Postpones Elimination Of Heating Subsidy

Romania's Government has decided to hold back the ordinance eliminating state heating subsidies, which will lead to higher heating bills, until it completes a state aid scheme for low-income households.

Eleven Romanian Sailors Threaten To Leave Vessel Detained In Malaysia- Paper

Twelve seamen, 11 Romanians and one Filipino, stranded on a detained vessel in Malaysia for over two months are threatening to abandon ship and their captain, alleging they have not been paid wages since April, the Malaysia Star reported in its online edition Wednesday.

Most Romanians Are Dissatisfied With Quality Of Life – Survey

More than 80% of Romanians are dissatisfied with their quality of life, the largest share in the 34 European and Central Asian states included in the "Life in Transition" survey conducted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Romanians Pay Near EU Average For Clothing, Less For Food

The prices of clothing, consumer electronics and personal transport equipment in Romania are close to the European Union average, but Romanians pay less for food, drink, tobacco, restaurant meals or hotel stays.

A Change Monetary Policy Likely Later In The Year – Franks

A potential change in the monetary policy is a decision that can be made later this year, not necessarily in Wednesday's board meeting of the central bank, said Jeffrey Franks, the head of the International Monetary Fund’s delegation to Romania.

Romania Will Likely Meet H1 Fiscal Targets, But Capital Spending Still Low – Franks

Romania’s low level of expenditure will most likely allow for the first half fiscal targets to be achieved, but the authorities still need to imporove the EU-related capital spending, said Jeffery Franks, head of the International Monetary Fund’s delegation to Romania.

Concerns About Greece Raised Romania’s Risk Premium In Last Few Days- Franks

Greece woes have resulted in the increase of risk premium for Romania in the last few days, but it will be some time before it can be determined whether the situation is a long-term one and what the impact will be, said Jeffrey Franks, the head of the IMF delegation to Romania.

EU Welcomes Any Initiative To Improve Romania’s Regional Fund Absorption

The European Commission said Tuesday that any initiative to improve Romania's absorption of regional funds is welcome.

Bucharest Ambulance Service Wants To Break World Record For Largest CPR Lesson

The Bucharest Ambulance Service (SABI) will attempt to break the world record for the largest CPR training class, by gathering 7000 people on Dinamo Stadium for a teaching marathon in July.

Romanian President Thanks Local Greek-Owned Banks For „Proper” Conduct

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Tuesday, after a talk with Greek President Karolos Papoulias, that the seven Greek banks on the Romanian market are operating "properly," for which he is thankful.

Greek President Karolos Papoulias Arrived In Romania For Two-Day Official Visit

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Tuesday welcomed Greek President Karolos Papoulias to the Presidential Palace in capital Bucharest.

Romanian Deputies Tacitly Adopt Bill Eliminating Tuition-Fee Seats In State Universities

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday tacitly adopted a bill put forward by ruling democrat liberal MPs Catalin Croitoru and Petru Filip which eliminates tuition-fee seats in state universities.

Romania To Reduce Foreign Military Mission Participation In 2012

Romania's Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) on Monday decided to lower the number of troops available for foreign deployment in 2012 by 106.

IMF Approves First Review Of New Loan Deal With Romania, May Disburse EUR480M

The International Monetary Fund Board on Monday approved the first review of the precautionary up deal with Romania and will make the second tranche available, worth around EUR480 million, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Health Ministry Asks Producers For 15% Lower Price On HIV, TB, Cancer Drugs

Romania's Health Ministry is asking producers to reduce the prices of drugs provided free of charge through the national healthcare programs for diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and cancer, by 15% starting with August 1, and distributors and pharmacists to reduce their markups.

Romanian President Passes Law On Maternity Leave, Child-Rearing Benefit

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday passed the law approving government emergency ordinance 111/2010 on maternity leave and child-rearing benefit.

Romanian President Passes Amended Police Statute Law

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday passed the law amending Law 360/2002 on the police statute.

Romania Will Miss Budget Gap Target, Because Of Upcoming Elections – Piraeus

Romania's Government will miss this year's budget deficit target of 4.4%, agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund, as there is a high likelihood of "fiscal slippages" before next year's parliamentary elections, say analysts from Piraeus Bank.

Romanian President Says He Won’t Consider Administrative Reorganization An Abandoned Plan

Romanian President Traian Basescu told lawmakers Monday he will not consider the country’s administrative reorganization an abandoned objective, arguing that government agencies and county councils “suffocate” local administrations.

Romanian Local Authorities To Take Over Certain Ministry Duties – PM

Romania's administrative reorganization will begin by transferring certain duties from ministry structures to local authorities, while negotiations will continue in the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Monday.

Unions To Challenge Order For Layoffs In Romanian Financial Guard

Sebastian Oprescu, president of the Romanian National Union of Public Servants (SNFP), said Monday that he has filed a complaint with tax authority ANAF and, on Tuesday, will challenge in court ANAF head Sorin Blejnar's order to give 1063 employees prior notice of termination.

Romanian Opposition To Boycott President’s Speech In Parliament

Romanian opposition Social Liberal Union representatives will not attend the Parliament meeting Monday when President Traian Basescu will address lawmakers, said union co-president Victor Ponta.

Romania Postpones Reorganization Plans On Lack Of Political Support From Hungarian Minority Party

Romania’s ruling coalition has decided to postpone plans on the country’s administrative reorganization as the Hungarian minority party UDMR, part of the coalition, rejected all the propositions put forth by the ruling Democratic Liberal Party, said UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor.

Romanian Termoelectrica To Lay Off 300 Employees

State-owned thermal power producer Termoelectrica will lay off 300 employees from two branches, under a restructuring plan approved by shareholders on June 16.

Romanian City Halls Must Ensure Heating Subsidy From Local Budget

The Romanian Government will no longer set reference prices of thermal energy for households and will allow mayors to approve, based on their own strategy, prices lower than those charged by thermal energy suppliers, provided they cover the difference from local budgets.

Anti-Hungarian Atmosphere In Romania Delays Adoption Of Bill On National Minorities – Party Leader

Kelemen Hunor, leader of the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania – part of the Romanian ruling coalition - said Saturday the statute of national minorities won’t be adopted by June 30 considering the “current anti-Hungarian atmosphere.”

Romanian Companies To Pay 10% More For Natural Gas Come Jul 1

The price of natural gas paid by Romanian households and thermal power producers will remain unchanged until July 1, 2012, but industrial consumers will pay 10% more starting July 1, 2011, Friday said energy regulator ANRE.

New Schengen Rules Won’t Apply to Romania, Bulgaria – President

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Friday a minute adopted during the European Council meeting states that the new regulations aimed to reinforce the governance of the Schengen Area will not apply to Romania and Bulgaria.

Two Polish Tourists Killed By Lighting Bout In Western Romanian Mountains

Two Polish tourists died Friday morning when they were struck by lightning during a heavy storm near the Padis cabin in the mountains in Bihor county, western Romania.

Romanian Comm Ministry Redrafts Data Retention Law, Ruled Unconstitutional In 2009

Romania's Communication Ministry is again sponsoring a bill, ruled unconstitutional in 2009, which requires telecom operators to store, for six months, certain data on calls, text messages and e-mails, that can be provided to judicial or national security authorities.

Romanian Constitutional Court Clears New Police Officer Statute

The Romanian Constitutional Court on Thursday rejected the opposition MPs’ claim regarding the unconstitutionality of the amendments to the Statute of police officers.

European Parliament Lifts Romanian MEP Adrian Severin’s Immunity

The European Parliament of Thursday adopted a report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) on lifting the immunity of Romanian MEP Adrian Severin, accused of lobbying in exchange for money.