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Romanian Opp Liberal Party To File Five Motions On Healthcare

Romania's opposition Liberal Party will file five simple motions on healthcare, in the following weeks, former Health Minister Eugen Nicolaescu said Friday in a press conference.

Romania’s Budget Posts Deficit Of 0.4%/GDP In Jan-Feb

Romania’s consolidated budget posted a deficit of 2.3 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.0881) in the first two months of the year, compared with RON5.8 billion in the same period of 2010, Finance Ministry data showed Friday.

IMF OKs Final Review Of Stand-by Accord, New Deal Terms

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund on Friday approved the final review of a EUR13 billion stand-by arrangement with Romania, and the terms of a new, precautionary deal that will start on March 31, an IMF official told MEDIAFAX.

Romania Accedes To EU Competitiveness Pact – President

Romania acceded to the pact for Euro Plus, or the EU pact for competitiveness, Romanian President Traian Basescu said Friday in Brussels.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Court Rules To Cancel Recalculation Of Military Staff Pensions

The Teleorman Court in southern Romania on Friday upheld several requests to cancel the recalculation of military staff pensions, Costel Galca, lawyer of the Union of Laid off Military Staff, told MEDIAFAX.

Raiffeisen Sees Romania’s GDP Up 1.5% In 2011, On Strong Exports

Romania’s economy should gradually mend this year, with a 1.5% growth of the gross domestic product, mainly due to a recovery in external demand that will fuel exports' increase, Raiffeisen said in a report Friday.

Romanian State Employees Might Have Higher Wages Starting Dec If Budget Revenues Allow Hike

The Romanian Government might decide to raise public sector employees’ salaries at the end of the year, so state employees will recover the money lost following wage-cut measures implemented in 2010, if budget revenues continue to increase, Finance Minister Gheorghe Ialomitianu said Friday.

Romanian Fin Min Says Lower VAT On Food Won’t Lower Prices But Endanger State Spending

Romanian Finance Minister Gheorghe Ialomitianu said Friday he will try to convince lawmakers not to adopt a bill that lowers the sales tax on basic food items because the measure will not lower food prices and will jeopardize the country’s budget spending.

OMV Petrom To Shut Down Romanian Arpechim Refinery

The Supervisory Board of Romanian oil company OMV Petrom (SNP.RO) on Friday said it will permanently shut down the Arpechim refinery, since no “credible” buyers have been found.

Romanians Rank Last In EU By Willingness To Compromise On Cars To Protect Environment

Romanians are the least likely EU citizens to compromise on a car's size, speed or range to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but rank second in the EU, after Bulgarians, by the share of people getting around on foot on a daily basis.

European Union Disburses EUR1.2B To Romania

The European Commission Thursday disbursed a fourth installment worth EUR1.2 billion to Romania, part of a larger EUR5 billion loan negotiated two years ago, the EU said in a statement.

Romanian Railway Co CFR Infrastructura Management, Workers Sign 2011 Collective Work Contract

The workers' union and management of Romanian railway infrastructure administrator CFR Infrastructura on Thursday signed the new collective work contract for 2011.

Fuel Consumption Most Important Factor For Romanians Buying Cars – Survey

Fuel consumption is the most important factor affecting choice for two thirds of Romanians buying a car, followed by brand, price, engine performance and comfort, says a survey by market research company GfK Romania, conducted in 2010.

Romanian Railway Co CFR Calatori Management, Workers Sign 2011 Collective Work Contract

The workers' union and management of Romanian railway passenger carrier CFR Calatori on Wednesday signed the new collective work contract for 2011.

Romania May Have “Significant” Untapped Oil Reserves

Romania may be able to find new oil deposits, since local drilling has not yet gone very deep, officials of British oil and gas producer Zeta Petroleum said Thursday.

Ford Romania Invested EUR350M In Local Unit So Far

Carmaker Ford Romania invested EUR350 million so far in its plant in Craiova, southern Romania, out of the EUR675 million the company pledged to invest when it bought the plant.

Romanian Transport Min Eyes Private Management For State Cos

Romanian state-owned companies should have private management, Transport minister Anca Boagiu said Thursday, adding she has not yet appointed a new general manager for airliner Tarom.

ING: Romania’s Follow-up Deal With IMF Endangered By VAT Cut

Romania’s follow-up agreement with the International Monetary Fund could be endangered by the lawmakers’ move to sustain a lower sales tax on basic food items, according to ING analysts.

Romanian Public Hospitals To Be Funded According To Class

Romanian hospitals will be divided, by June 1, into five classes, according to their fields, and each unit will receive financing appropriate to its class, Health Minister Attila Cseke announced Wednesday.

Romanian Young Studio Flat Owners Might Access „First Home” Program

Romanian bank representatives have suggested opening the "First Home" program to people younger than 35, who already own a studio apartment, but need a larger home.

Romania To Implement New Healthcare Frame-Contract On June 1 – Sources

Romania's new frame-contract on public healthcare will enter force on June 1, two months later than originally planned, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX ON Wednesday.

Romanian Social Democrat Leader Calls For Ousting MEP Adrian Severin From Party

Romanian Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Victor Ponta told MEDIAFAX Wednesday he called on Marian Vanghelie, leader of the party’s Bucharest branch, to start procedures to oust MEP Adrian Severin, accused of lobbying in exchange for money.

Romanian Leu’s Exch Rate Hits New High At 4.126 Vs Euro

Romania's leu traded in ranges against the euro in mid session Wednesday, but the central bank’s reference continued to strengthen, hitting a 11 months high at 4.126 units, from 4.1439 units a day earlier.

Romanian Nuclear Pwr Plant Cernavoda Operates Safely – Manager

Romania’s sole nuclear power plant in Cernavoda operates n good safety conditions for both the environment and people, and all spare parts have been bought according to law requirements, the plant’s representatives said Wednesday.

Microsoft Romania To Hire Over 100 People In 2011

Microsoft Romania will hire up to 110 people this year, most of them to be selected through social networks, Cosmin Bordea, Microsoft Romania HR Lead, said Wednesday.

Romania Must Prepare For Increased Terrorist Activity – President

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Wednesday that he has requested preventive measures against the risk of increased terrorist activity, as a result of the UN's intervention in Libya.

Romanian Constitutional Court Clears New Labor Code

Romania’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday ruled the country’s new Labor Code is constitutional and rejected claims raised by the opposition.

About 1 Million Romanians Work Illegally, Says State Secretary

Romania has about one million people working illegally, Labor Ministry state secretary Nicolae Ivaschescu said Wednesday, adding the ministry aims to reduce the black labor market as much as possible.

Romanians Might No Longer Get Free, Compensated Medicine As Of April 1

Over 80% of family doctors in Romania have said they won’t sign frame agreement with health insurance houses in April, which means patients will no longer benefit from free or compensated drugs or referrals to specialized doctors.

Romania February Private Lending -1.3% On Month To RON206.6B

Romanian private lending fell 1.3% in real terms to 206.6 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.1439) in February from a month earlier, but was up 3.6% on the year, central bank data showed Wednesday.

Romanian Railway Company CFR Calatori Might Receive RON937M Subsidies This Year

Romanian state-run railway passenger carrier CFR Calatori could receive state subsidies in the amount of 937.18 million lei (EUR1=RON4.1685) this year, less than last year and below the company's requested RON1.37 billion.

Romanian Ioana Maria Vlas Faces New Fraud Charges

Romanian anticorruption prosecutors have indicted Ioana Maria Vlas, sentenced to ten years in prison for fraud and released on parole last year, in a new file regarding the collapse of the National Investment Fund (FNI).

Romanian Senate Committee Supports Food Content Info Dots

The Romanian Senate’s health committee on Tuesday approved a bill whereby food products will have a green, orange or red dot on their wrappers or labels, according to the type and amount of food additives they contain.

Romanian Govt Mulls Reducing Guarantee For New Home Loans To 50%

Romania's Government and banks are considering reducing the state's guarantees for loans taken out through the "First Home" program to half, leaving EUR750 million, half the amount guaranteed so far, available for new loans.

Romanian MEP Adrian Severin Refuses To Resign From Party, EP

Romanian MEP Adrian Severin, accused of lobbying in exchange for money, said Tuesday he will not resign, either from the Social Democratic Party or the European Parliament, and called for investigations in the case.

Romanian Senate Committees Reject Journalism Bill, Call For New Act With Input From Journalists

The Romanian Senate’s committees for human rights and legal matters on Tuesday rejected a bill on journalism set forth by senator Ioan Ghise, of the opposition Liberal Party.

Bucharest Mayor Hopes To Book U2 For September Concert

Bucharest Mayor Sorin Oprescu said Tuesday that he hopes the city will organize a U2 concert on the new National Stadium in September.

Romanian Social Democrat Leader Says MEP Adrian Severin Must Resign From Party, EP

Romanian Social Democratic Party president Victor Ponta said Tuesday that Romanian MEP Adrian Severin, accused of lobbying in exchange for money, must resign from the party and the European Parliament.

Romanian Govt To Assign RON200M For Nursing Homes

Romania’s Government will assign 200 million lei (EUR1=RON4.1439) by the end of 2013 for the development of the country’s nursing homes, and the money will be allotted at the request of local authorities, according to the program’s methodology.

Romanian Leu Exch Rate Hits 10 1/2 Months High At 4.1439 Vs Euro

Romania’s leu extended early gains against the euro in mid trade Tuesday and the central bank’s reference strengthened 0.6% on the day to 4.1439 units, from 4.1685 units a day earlier.