Embassy of in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

No. 5/ 4th Year 1st – 15th of March 2011 Politics 1. Latvian President Zatlers' visit to Romania will consolidate political and economic ties 2. Operation of evacuation from Libya proves Romanian State's protection for its citizens 3. Romania to contribute 55,000 Euros toward development of European cultural routes 4. Romanian Air Forces take over command of Kabul Airport 5. Immigrants enjoy better laws in Romania than in most countries in Europe 6. Romania, main Francophone country of Central and Eastern Europe 7. The Ambassador of Romania’s visit to Cardiff 8. The visit of the Ambassador of Romania to the UK to Northumbria 9. The Ambassador of Romania visited the University of Manchester Economics 1. Romania provides tremendous investment possibilities 2. Romania has decided to earmark 4 billion Euros for 2011 public investments 3. Romanian companies might join large-scale infrastructure projects of Palestinian National Authority 4. Bucharest hosts business forum on business opportunities in Central and South-Eastern Europe 5. Nine Romanian companies attends Embedded World trade fair 6. Romania, France advocating agricultural policy that preserves farming in all EU 7. Over 2,600 construction authorisations were issued in January – increase by 17% 8. 17 companies submit bids for building Timisoara-Lugoj motorway 9. Romania's car fleet rejuvenated by two years 10. Garanti Bank expects EUR 5 million profits in 2011 in Romania 11. Romania's 2010 IT exports stand at nearly 600 million Euros 12. Electrica has two projects of wind parks worth 238 billion dollar 13. 25th edition of Romania's Tourism Fair to begin at Romexpo, on March 31 14. Pound trades at 4.83 lei Culture and Education 1. The opening of Rita Horowitz water painting exhibition 2. The Day of Marțișor celebrated by the Romanian students at the University of Nottingham 3. Season tickets for George Enescu Festival put for sale on March 15 4. The boxing lesson (Lecţia de box) @ Ciné lumière 5. The Annual meeting of the Romanian health care professionals working in the UK 6. Under the Radar - painting exhibition by Serban Savu 7. Alina Cojocaru in ‘’, 8. Alina Cojocaru in ‘Rhapsody’ mixed bill, Royal Opera House 9. Alexandra Dariescu (piano) at Wigmore Hall 10. Ion Grigorescu @ Tate Modern

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

• Politics Latvian President Zatlers' visit to Romania will consolidate political and economic ties Bucharest, March 3 /Agerpres/ - President Traian Basescu said that the visit to Bucharest of Latvia's President Valdis Zatlers will consolidate the political and economic ties between Romania and Latvia. "This is the first visit of a Latvian president to Romania. It is a visit that honours us and that will certainly consolidate political relations and hopefully the economic ties between the two countries. In our conversations, we approached a wide range of topics, particularly issues of European interest, but also issues that are outside Europe's concerns," President Basescu told a news conference at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace in Bucharest at the end of talks with President Zatlers. He added they discussed the future financial framework of the EU, with mentions of the 2013- 202 Budget and the Common Agricultural Policy and the Cohesion Policy. "We also focused on the energy policy of the European Union and the eastern neighbourhood. Our conclusions were that Romania and Latvia have very close approaches. Romania and Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area was also discussed, and I want to thank Mr. President for the conclusions of today's talks as well as for his position so far that supports exactly the Romanian opinion that there can be no additional requirements for accession to the Schengen Area," said President Basescu. In his turn President Zatlers said relations between Latvia and Romania have improved considerably over the past five-six years. "I believe there is still enough room for improving more the relations between the two countries, particularly at an economic level. At the sane time, it was important for us to exchange opinions on the EU's cohesion policy and cultural policy in the next decade. It is very important for us to underscore the importance of the cohesion policies that will matter a lot in the decades to come; these projects have to be implemented over 30, 40 years and there are very important aspects in the consolidation of EU's situation and position," said President Zatlers. He also thanked President Basescu for the invitation to visit Romania, as this is the first visit ever of a Latvian president to Romania. He said his visit is very opportune because this year is 90 years since Romania recognised Latvia and 20 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Romania. "I was honoured to attend today the official opening of an honorary consulate of Latvia in Bucharest, and I would like to thank you for Romania's support for the opening of this small Latvian embassy in Bucharest," said Presindent Zatlers.

Operation of evacuation from Libya proves Romanian State's protection for its citizens Bucharest, March 3 /Agerpres/ - Seven hundred and thirty-five Romanian citizens and other 100 foreign citizens were evacuated from Libya in the last ten days, receiving consular assistance or being transferred by two Romanian military aircrafts, the entire operation proving the Romanian State's capacity of protecting its citizens, Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Baconschi said.

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

"... 10 days of complex efforts during which we focused on this operation for the safe evacuation of 735 Romanian citizens from Libya. ... Besides the compatriots successfully evacuated from Libya, we managed to prove our solidarity with other EU member states and with other people, evacuating 72 member states" citizens, plus seven US citizens, three Canadians, eight Ukrainians, one Russian, as well as the Ambassador of Sierra Leone in Tripoli, together with his family, three Serbians and one Libyan, a child with parents of Libyan citizenship," the Romanian head of diplomacy pointed out in the press conference presenting the balance of the operation. According to him, the costs of the evacuation operation kept within the 900,000 lei budget allocated by the Government for this purpose. When asked if the companies employing the Romanian citizens would support a part of those costs, Minister Baconschi answered that "until the present, the answer was negative." Moreover, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) plans to modify the legislation so that the Romanian citizens living in countries with political instability potential or with security risk potential should announce their presence in due time at the embassies of Romania, as the work of the staff involved in the operation in Libya was made extremely more difficult because there was not any evidence of the citizens living in this country. "Many other European states do this. The citizens arriving to one country or another, who are residents there or on a labour contract, communicate their coordinates to their country's embassy so that they may be promptly assisted in crisis situations, without their actual finding involving so many efforts," the Minister also said. At the same time, he showed that a "map room" was going to be established at the MAE headquarters. "I shall ask all our missions to send an administrative and political map of the countries they carry out their activity in, so we should have a complete data base on the access ways and all the necessary information in such crisis situations," said the Minister, adding that the Ministry's Policy Planning Department was required to make a projection preparing the evacuation mechanism for other possible anarchy or civil war situations in the countries in the region, too. Some Romanian citizens evacuated from Libya also attended the press conference and gave thanks. Nicolae Gavriliuc, a specialist in refineries maintenance, working for 5 years on an industrial platform in the desert belonging to a Libyan state company, showed that the experience of his repatriation was not "traumatizing" thanks to the support given by his employer and by MAE, but that the experiences of other colleagues of his, as well as the images seen in the Tripoli Airport area were "striking." He said he intended to return to Libya as soon as the situation calmed down, because the salaries in the oil industry there exceeded even the ones in the western European companies. In her turn, Mihaela Craciun, a young translator with a Romanian company in Tripoli, also mentioned she intended to go back to work in the Libyan capital as soon as that was possible. Since February 21, MAE has mobilized a round-the-clock crisis cell in the Ministry, and one in the Romanian Embassy in Tripoli. A permanent consular presence was established at Tripoli

Arundel House, 4 Palace Green London W8 4QD UK Tel. 020 7937 9666 Fax: 020 7937 8069 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.london.mae.ro

Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

Airport and at La Valetta Airport and integrated actions were carried out in all embassies in the Mediterranean region: in Alger, Cairo, Tunis and Rome. The Consular Department of the Ministry sent two consuls to Tripoli in emergency regime, three consular officers from the Romanian Embassy in Rome were sent to Luca Airport of La Valetta, one supplementary consular officer was also sent by MAE to Tunis and a deciding MAE representative was also dispatched to the area to coordinate the entire operation.

Romania to contribute 55,000 Euros toward development of European cultural routes Romania will be paying 55,000 Euros to the European Institute of Cultural Routes in contributions for 2011-2014 toward the development of cultural routes, according to a draft decision concerning the actions in the Programme for Cultural Routes released for ministerial discussions by the Romanian Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism (MDRT). Out of the total contributions, 25,000 Euros will be paid for the first year, while the remaining amount will be paid in three equal instalments of 10,000 Euros each at the end of each year in the 2012-2014 period. The amounts will be secured from the MDRT budget. In 2011-2012, the required networks, certification files and support for the 'Route of Walled Churches,' 'The Route of Christian Orthodox Churches,' will be created, along with the inclusion of Romanian sights in 'The Cistercian Way,' 'The European Route of Thermal Heritage', 'and the 'Iter Vitis - the Wine Road,' which are already certified by the Council of Europe. The European cultural routes are regulated under Council of Europe (CoE) Resolution 2007(12) of the Committee of Ministers on the cultural routes of the Council of Europe, adopted on October 10, 2007. There are currently 29 CoE-certified cultural routes. Luxembourg has been hosting the headquarters of the European Institute of Cultural Routes since 1997. The institute is a technical body in charge with examining applications for new projects; monitoring activities in the field and co-ordinating the work of partner organizations; and with disseminating and archiving information documents pertinent to the European cultural routes. The Romanian Government has used the services of the institute periodically and contributed toward the events organised by it. A Centre for Cultural Resources opened at the Luxembourg House in Sibiu in May 2010. Under a 2009-2014 bilateral agreement on cooperation in science, technology, education, culture and sports between the Romanian Government and the Government of Luxembourg, support of the two governments for initiatives to create cultural routes is expressly stated. (ActMedia, March 8, 2011)

Romanian Air Forces take over command of Kabul Airport MOD Press Office/ A military ceremony was organized to mark the deployment of an Air Force detachment to Afghanistan, on March 2. Starting April it will hold the command of the Kabul International Airport (KAIA). The 75-troop detachment will take over the position as leading nation of the Afghan airport from the Hungarians, manning the administrative and command positions of the airport. The Romanian detachment will conduct its activity within NATO-led ISAF operation.

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

In his message to the troops, the defence minister said: "You worked hard to reach the capability of taking over such an important mission for the Air Forces. I am confident that the way you were selected and your intense training are the premises for a successful mission." Minister Gabriel Oprea’s message continued "You will operate in a multinational environment in which you will be required to carry out complex missions covering the entire range of operations from air to protecting the forces transiting the most important airport connection in northern Afghanistan. I know a difficult mission lies ahead. You are responsible for the coordination of the daily 450 to 500 flights on that airport, in an area under constant terrorist threat". The minister’s message highlighted his belief that the troops the Air Force chose for this complex mission, the command of the Kabul Allied International Airport, will ensure its success. The ceremony was attended by soldiers’ families, officers, representatives of the Air Force Staff and the General Staff. Romania is the first NATO nation to hold this position for one year. Previously, detachments rotated every six months. Among the main responsibilities of the Romanian troops in command of the airport are coordinating daily flights, airport procedures and processing weather reports. They will also ensure the logistic support of airport activities, ensuring the force protection and airport security, access control, military police missions, identifying and removing improvised explosive devices.

Immigrants enjoy better laws in Romania than in most countries in Europe A new study released on March 2 by the British Council and Migration Policy Group non-profit organization shows that Romania is better prepared than most countries in the region for migrant workers and their families, with similar policies in the new countries of labour force immigration. According to the study, in which Romania has been included for the first time, together with Bulgaria and the United States of America/ USA/, Romania's strong point is solid anti- discrimination laws, successively improved since 2000, when they were adopted and so far, to be consistent with the general European trend, reveals a release of the Soros Foundation, British Council's study partner for Romania. According to MIPEX III - Migrant Integration Policy Index, the study now in its third edition - all residents, regardless of ethnicity, religion, race and nationality, enjoy better laws in Romania than in most European countries and in the region. Also, Romania is one of the 15 European countries in which protection against discrimination covers all aspects of life. At the same time, areas for improvement in Romania concern the participation of immigrants in political life, citizenship and education. Romania has achieved the lowest score of the 31 countries participating in the MIPEX study regarding immigrants' participation in the political life, followed by Poland, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. According to Romanian legislation, resident citizens from outside the European Union can not exercise their right to vote and can not become members of any political party, the study also assessed. The study shows that the main immigrant communities in Romania come from the Republic of Moldova, Turkey and China, and cities and counties most attractive to immigrants are Bucharest - Ilfov, Iasi (east), Cluj-Napoca (centre-west), Constanta (south east), Galati (east) and Prahova (south). In 2009 there were registered more than 59,000 foreigners legally residing in Romania. MIPEX results for Romania will be presented and discussed at an event to be held in Bucharest, on April 18, 2011. (ActMedia, March 3, 2011)

Romania, main Francophone country of Central and Eastern Europe

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

Romania is still the main Francophone country of Central and Eastern Europe, given that about one quarter of its population has studied French, David Bongard, the head of the regional antenna for Central and Eastern European countries with the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) said. 'Romania and recently the Republic of Moldova are the main Francophone countries in the region. Romania has 9,300 teachers of French, an impressive figure, and 4.7 million Romanians out of a total of 21.5 million have studied French,' Swiss David Bongard told a press conference organized at the House of Switzerland, alongside Swiss Ambassador in Bucharest Livio Hurzeler and French Ambassador Henri Paul. At the same time, he stressed the fact that 5,000 Romanian employees working in the central and local administration institutions were trained over the last year, within a project, in order to use this language in their work activity and to thus be able to participate in different projects of cooperation with the Francophone countries. In his turn, Ambassador Henri Paul insisted on the importance of the connection of French speaking, young people and economy, saying that the youth learning and using French at an advanced level had the opportunity of working with the large French companies already operating in Romania, but also of studying and getting jobs in France, Romania's fourth largest trade partner. In March, several cultural-educational events are going to be organized in Bucharest and in other three large university centres of Romania, namely Iasi (eastern Romania), Timisoara (western Romania) and Cluj (central-western Romania), on the occasion of the traditional Month of Francophonie, celebrated every spring with the support of the diplomatic missions and the Francophone institutions present in Romania. Thus, the four large cities will host poetry and essay contests, workshops for high-school pupils, concerts, theatre shows, exhibitions and a university fair. One of the most expected events is the Francophone Film Festival, which is going to be held this year also at the Elvira Popesco Hall of the French Cultural Institute, between March 25 and 30. Romania became OIF observer member at the 1991 Versailles Summit and in 1993 it obtained the full member status at the next summit held in Mauritius. In 2006, Bucharest hosted the 11th Summit of Francophonie, devoted to 'information technologies in education,' Romania being the first country in Central and Eastern Europe to have hosted a Francophonie Summit. (ActMedia, March 15, 2011)

The Ambassador of Romania’s visit to Cardiff Embassy of Romania – London/ On March 6, 2011, the Ambassador of Romania in London, Dr Ion Jinga, met with the Romanian community living in Wales. The Ambassador had talks with a group of Romanians living in Cardiff intending to establish the first Romanian society and took part at the Romanian Orthodox Parish “All Saints and St Stephen Archdeacon” at the religious service officiated by Father Sorin Chirila. The main issues of interest for the Romanian community were discussed during the talks with the initiative group, including work restrictions, as well as a cultural project scheduled to take place on the 19th of June 2011 when Romanian books, handicrafts and traditional costumes

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

will be shipped from Romania in order to be presented to the general public in Cardiff. After the event, the exhibits will be donated to Cardiff Central Library and to the National Museum of Wales. The Ambassador of Romania encouraged the members of the initiative group to develop an associative structure for the Romanians living in Wales meant to contribute at the cohesion of the community and to preserve the national cultural and spiritual identity. The Ambassador noticed the warm hospitality of the people of Wales, a favourable factor which has contributed to the integration of the Romanian community. At the religious service, the Ambassador reminded those present that, two years ago, took part at the opening of the Romanian Parish, as well, and reassured the community of the Embassy’s full support. The Ambassador announced that will come back on the 19thof June for a cultural-religious event, and intends, on the occasion, to meet the local authorities and governmental representatives and have talks about the Romanians living in Wales. The Romanian community living in Wales is young, and accounts for approximately 2,000 Romanian citizens, who have easily integrated into the larger host society, facilitating good intercultural relations between the local communities.

The visit of the Ambassador of Romania to the UK to Northumbria The Embassy of Romania – London/ During the 8th and 9th of March 2011, the Ambassador of Romania to London, Dr. Ion Jinga, made an official visit to Northumbria, at the invitation of the Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne, Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh.

The programme of the visit included the annual official Dinner of the Consular Corps of Newcastle upon Tyne, meetings with the Lord Mayor of Newcastle who offered a reception in the honour of the Ambassador, with the Vice-chancellor of the Newcastle University, as well as with

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______representatives of the Romanian communities in Newcastle and Durham.

This year’s presence of the Ambassador had a special connotation due to the fact that, for the first time in the Consular Corps’s history of over 100 years, the Honorary Consul of Romania, Inna Dickson, took over its rotating presidency. Traditionally, the Ambassador of the country holding the presidency is invited to deliver the opening speech at the Consular Corps Annual Dinner having as guests the most important figures of the city such as dignitaries, city chambers executives and other important business people.

The Diplomatic and Consular Corps of Newcastle upon Tyne brings together the Honorary Consuls of Belgium, Island, Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Romania, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg and Norway. The annual gala is one of the most important events for the social life in Newcastle upon Tyne.

At the reception offered by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle in the honour of the Ambassador of Romania, along with the notabilities of the city were invited representatives of the Romanian community. Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh expressed her willingness to personally sustain the Romanian community’s projects, this being the second meeting with the Ambassador, the previous one taking place last year when Councillor Hindmarsh was holding the offices of the Sheriff and Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Ambassador had meetings with Councillor David Faulkner, Sir Ian Wringglesorth, Chairman of Tyne Authority, Jim Campbell, Deputy Chief Constable of Northumbrian Police and Sue Winfield, High Sheriff of the County of Tyne and Wear.

Discussions with the above mentioned representatives of the local authorities revealed potential areas of cooperation such as economy, tourism, culture and education, as well as the importance of the Romanian community’s contribution at local projects.

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

The talks with the Vice-chancellor of Newcastle University, Professor Chris Brink, underlined the academic value of the Romanian professors’ work and the University’s interest in cooperating with universities from Romania.

The Romanian community in Northumberland accounts approximately 400 Romanian citizens is strong and has a unitary social representation comprising around 100 students and lecturers at the local universities – Newcastle, Northumbria and Durham, 20 health care professionals, social assistants, workers, and entrepreneurs.

Inna Dickson, as Honorary Consul of Romania – title she received in 2005, supports all activities of the Romanian community and those of the Romanian Orthodox Parish and is organising, on regularly basis, gatherings of the Romanians living in the region. Inna Dickson lives in Great Britain for 20 years, works as South-West Europe Quality Manager for a multinational company and is a distinguished representative of the Romanian community.

This is the third visit of the Ambassador of Romania in Northumbria, previous two taking place in February 2009 and 2010. The Ambassador of Romania visited the University of Manchester Embassy of Romania – London / On March 14, 2011, the Ambassador of Romania to the United Kingdom, Dr Ion Jinga, paid a visit to the University of Manchester invited by the Romanian Students Society.

With this occasion, the Ambassador of Romania had meetings with Prof Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Colin Sterling, Vice-president for Teaching and Learning, Prof Konstantin Novoselov, one of the two 2010 Nobel Prize Winners, and with Tanya Luff, Head of International Development Division. The Ambassador, also, had a meeting with the Romanian students and professors, delivered a presentation on the Strategic partnership between Romania and the United Kingdom within the European framework and offered an interview to the University’s newspaper, Mancunion.

During the meeting with the Ambassador of Romania, the Vice-chancellor of the University, Prof Rothwell, revealed the fact that the Romanian

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______students are well integrated and prized for their academic achievements.

The University of Manchester has partnerships with 10 Romanian universities: Politehnica University of Bucharest, the Institute for Energy Research and Development, Romanian Authority for Nuclear Activities of Pitesti, the National Meteorological Administration, the Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry Petru Poni of Iasi, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Cluj-Napoca, University Al. I. Cuza of Iasi, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iaşi and the National Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Waters Management. The university envisages further developing projects with Romanian universities in fields such as: medicine, physics and human sciences.

Present at the meeting was Prof Konstantin Novoselov, one of the two 2010 Novel Prize winners, who confirmed the appreciations about the Romanian researchers contribution, based on a successful long term experience of work developed during the years with Romanian scientists.

Discussions with Prof Colin Sterling, Vice-president for Teaching and Learning and with Tanya Luff, Head of International Development Division took place in the laboratory where Ernest Rutherford, the father of nuclear physics the Nobel Prize winner for chemistry, lead his experiments on the planetary model of the atom.

The main topics chosen by the Romanian students to discuss with the Ambassador tackled career perspectives in Romania, the integration of the Roma community, governmental projects for the young people who would like to study abroad, having a polling station for the next elections, volunteers offered for 2012 Olympic Games, support for a shipment of English books to Romania, having a Romanian library at the University of Manchester, participating at the Romanian students, professors and researchers Conference, event co-organised and hosted by the Embassy.

The Ambassador substantiated in favour of the Romanian students return after graduating underlining the fact that those who will decide to remain and build their careers in the United Kingdom could contribute as well as the imagine and the development of Romania by promoting joint Romanian-British projects. At all 30 universities visited by the Ambassador so far including Manchester, the Romanian students enjoy a very good image, being considered between the best. The Ambassador launched the invitation to bring their contribution at the

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

Romanian students, professors and researchers Conference due to take place next fall, on October 22.

The meeting with the Romanian students was followed the presentation entitled Strategic partnership between Romania and the United Kingdom within the European framework, delivered by the Ambassador of Romania. Both, the presentation and the debate that followed, were organised by the Romanian Students Society together with Manchester Debating Union.

The visit at the University of Manchester is part of the Embassy’s strategy to establish and enforce the ties with the British universities were Romanian students, professors or researchers are studying and working, with the aim of a better cohesion among the Romanian community living in the United Kingdom.

The University of Manchester is the largest university in the United Kingdom with almost 40,000 students and 11,000 staff. The University enjoys a very prestigious name, the name being associated with 25 Nobel Prize winners. Among its international student population of around 7,500 of which 2,000 EU, 175 are Romanians.

• Economics

Romania provides tremendous investment possibilities Bucharest, March 8 /Agerpres/ - President Traian Basescu told the participants at the "Gulf Cooperation Council - Romania - Bucharest: Opportunities for Business in Central and South-East Europe" Economic Forum, which takes place from March 8 to 10, in the country's Capital, that there are tremendous possibilities for investments in Romania and gave the example of the energy sector, agriculture and tourism. "In Romania there are formidable investment opportunities, even in case we only consider the development gap between Romania and the old EU countries. Business environment is far from being hostile, it is a competitive milieu, which however needs to be adjusted in red tape areas - and I assure you that we will continue to do that", stated the head of state. According to the President, Romania has a banking system that was not cracking under the crisis. He noted that the Romanian state was not forced to intervene in the case of any bank, and that the country has a labour force "relatively well qualified."

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

"Romania also has traditional friendly relations with the Arab states. Here, in Romania, thousands of specialists from the Arab countries attended higher education institutions, people who have become advocates of Romania wherever they are, in states where they returned after finishing the studies in Romania", President Basescu also said. He reiterated that the economic crisis was an "extremely painful" lesson for Romania, which taught us that an economic growth strictly based on consumption is not a healthy one. "The politicians in Romania, I myself, have turned into advocates of another type of development, namely the development based on investments, the development based on knowledge, the development based on education, the development based on research. In other words, we have learned the unsustainable economic growth lesson and we want a country able to develop on a sustainable growth background, primarily to capitalize on the country's resources, on Romania's potential", the president emphasized. He said that 2011 outlook is one of economic growth. The Gross Domestic Product is estimated to increase by 1.5 - 2 percent in 2011, but it will be "a well-founded economic growth recovery, not based on speculation and excessive consumption", said Traian Basescu. The head of State also said that a key objective of Romania is represented by the energetic independence. "One of the major objectives of Romania is energy independence. Although we are a country that produces in a proportion of 80 percent the crude oil it needs and also the gas needs, we are enrolled into the European energy policy, which stringently requires a diversification of energy supply. We are a country that often has a surplus of electricity and exports it, and we are a country that aims to become an important energy market for South- East Europe, therefore, investments in this area are a priority for the Government of Romania", President Basescu stated. He pointed out the importance of an upgrading package for the Romanian energy system. According to the President, Romania is one of the promoters of solutions to diversify Europe's energy supply. He recalled in this regard that our country has recently finalized the interconnection with Hungary, but also its involvement in Nabucco or AGRI projects. The Romanian President said that the country can become an engine for reducing the effects of eventual future food crises. "We must not neglect, as we all neglected, the specialists" warnings, such as that on a financial crisis. Specialists now warns that a food crisis is looming. Romania can become an engine for reducing the effects of a possible future food crisis (...) As you know, Romania has an agricultural potential capable of meeting food requirements for more than 80 million people", Basescu said. The head of state added that Romania needs a modern food industry, but also irrigations for a developed agriculture. "Another area of great interest for Romania, also on the backdrop of a looming food crisis, is agriculture. What do we need? We face the effects of a process of returning the properties to former owners, which means that a part of agricultural land in Romania is crumbled. We need irrigations and a modern food industry, which can value the agricultural production, whether it comes to animal production, or the vegetable one", Traian Basescu explained. According to the head of state, Romania has at present an area of four million hectares of land fit for organic crops, practically the second largest surface in the European Union after France, with 4.5 million hectares. President Basescu said that Romania is a country that has "forested mountains" and that the "mineral water is flowing along the roads", but that we lack a tourism infrastructure, the same as road and railway ones. He pointed out that tourism is an area of major interest for the country, but we have an outdated tourism infrastructure, in need to be modernized.

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

As far as the organization in Bucharest of the Economic Forum of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Romania, the head of state underscored that the most important result of this event is represented by business people becoming more acquainted with each other. "Businessmen must know each other, have trust in each other, be aware they can run profitable businesses not only for their companies, but also for the citizens of the two zones. To invest means nothing else but to create jobs, to generate income, to create business, to forge development, and the citizens, either they Romanians, or from Saudi Arabia, want their countries to develop", president Traian Basescu explained. The head of state also highlighted that the Gulf Cooperation Council - Romania Economic Forum is the most important economic event in 2011. "For us, this forum is definitely the most important economic event of 2011 and it is the most important event because it did not happen by chance, but was the result of significant political and diplomatic efforts, as well as of an increasing trust between Romania and the countries of the Council of the Gulf. We paid an impressive number of visits to the Gulf area in the last six years. We have restored and strengthened our traditional political relations, but until today the effort to bring together business people, politicians in the Gulf region and in Romania was an effort materialized just now", President Bãsescu also emphasized.

Romania has decided to earmark 4 billion Euros for 2011 public investments Bucharest, March 9 /Agerpres/ - Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi said that Romania will focus on economic priorities, mentioning to the point the importance attached to investments, for which 4 billion Euros will be earmarked in 2011. "As far as we are concerned, we will continue to focus on economic priorities, including energy security, attracting investment, and on promoting public-private partnerships in industry and infrastructure," Baconschi told the Gulf Co-operation Council - Romania business forum. He also mentioned the importance Romania is attaching in this context to energy projects, including the Nabucco and AGRI pipelines. "Romania has decided to earmark 4 billion Euros for 2011 investments and a large share of the money will go for infrastructure. At the same time, energy small and medium-sized enterprises will be encouraged and supported. Not in the last place, this programme, along with the legislation concerning public-private partnerships, will contribute to improving the business milieu in Romania," said Minister Baconschi. He added that promoting Romania's profile as a strong and trustworthy partner and supporting the national companies are main priorities with the Romanian Government. Teodor Baconschi also said that Romania is working on attracting as much investment as possible from the Gulf States; particularly for big infrastructure projects and such investment capital will be complementary to the funds from the European Union. "This is what we are working on, attracting as much investment as possible for big infrastructure projects. Such investment will be complementary to the funds coming from the European Union, because no country can say it has enough foreign investment. In this competition, the Gulf Co-operation

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Council - Romania business forum is an excellent instrument," said the Romanian chief diplomat. He added that on the sidelines of the forum, niches of opportunities have been defined, as well as the priorities of economic cooperation between Romania and the Gulf states. According to Baconschi, Romania has offered the Gulf investors a top-level political guarantee by the presence of Romania's President Traian Basescu in the opening of the forum. The Foreign Minister voiced optimism over the possibility for the talks this afternoon between Romanian business people and their Gulf counterparts to get some business contracts "moving." "The stakes are simple: intelligent investment of as many billion US dollars or Euros as possible in the Romanian economy. Romania has growth potential; it has stabilized its economy and created a favourable investment environment. As you may know, the Gulf Co- operation Council has extraordinary sovereign funds and investment financing instruments for investment abroad. At the same time, the GCC states are countries that have not missed out on modernity, that have started reforms; they are open countries with companies where many expats work, countries that are familiar with cultural exchanges, tolerance and dialogue between civilizations. We have all the necessary arguments to strengthen, as a European Union member state, the ties between the success story of the Arab world and the EU," Minister Baconschi said in reply to what the stakes of the forum are. The Foreign Minister mentioned agriculture, IT, road infrastructure and tourism as priority fields for investments. "The Gulf States have modernized, they have started reforms and, undoubtedly, they have some of the best living conditions in the world for their citizens. I do not believe we can compare the domestic political situation of these countries with what is happening in North Africa. The billions invested in a stable economy that has resumed growth, such as the Romanian economy, are well protected here. We will not worry about their efficiency," Minister Baconschi said in reply to whether or not an exchange of investment would be timely now in the context of the domestic strife in North Africa that tends to expand toward the Arab world.

Romanian companies might join large-scale infrastructure projects of Palestinian National Authority Bucharest, March 1/Agerpres/ - Romanian companies could participate in the development of several large-scale infrastructure projects the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) plans to implement in the upcoming period and for which financing is already secured, declared Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi, while on a visit to Ramallah - the administrative capital of the Palestinian National Authority. "Various Romanian companies might be interested in these projects that also include the new airport to be built in Jericho; the maintenance of the aircraft fleet might be ensured by a Romanian company," said Minister Baconschi, who added that these projects benefit from the necessary financing, inclusively from Arab states in the Gulf region.

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At the same time, the Romanian participation in these projects could be discussed at a meeting of a bilateral business council the Romanian side undertook to organize in Bucharest in the next period. In addition, the Romanian government and the Palestinian National Authority also cooperate on the grant of several dozens of scholarships to Palestinian citizens for studies in civil emergencies, medicine and engineering, as well on the transfer of expertise in the areas of health and finance. "Preparations by the Palestinian statehood for institutional operation are in a very advanced stage. This ample institutionalization effort will increase Palestinian visibility and credibility at international level ... and the Romanian helping hand is highly appreciated," said Minister Baconschi, mentioning that apart from the improvement of the Palestinian fire service, talks are underway inclusively for setting a service in place by the model of the Romanian Mobile Emergency Service for Resuscitation and Extrication (SMURD). Also, during the first meeting of the Romanian-Palestinian Intergovernmental Committee in Ramallah, chaired by Minister Baconschi and his counterpart Riad Al-Malki, the participants explored concrete ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the economic, health, finance, agriculture and veterinary sectors. The meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee was followed by the signing of the Romanian - Palestinian Cooperation Protocol on agriculture, the food industry, sanitary-veterinary activities and food safety. "Our bilateral relationship dates since long, is good and growing, with an intense political dialogue in recent years. We are in a new stage when we target more advanced co-work relations," said the Romanian chief diplomat. Romania also supports the dialogue between PNA and the European Union (EU) in the direction of an association, with Minister Baconschi stating that to this end, PNA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas could be invited to a future meeting of the European Council. The Romanian chief diplomat was also received by Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and of the National Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, and also met with Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Government, Salam Fayyad. Romania's Representation Office to Ramallah - Palestine was officially inaugurated on Oct. 26, 2009 and the first round of political - diplomatic consultations between the Romanian and the Palestinian Foreign Ministries at the level of Secretary of State was held on the same day, as per the Cooperation Protocol signed on July 12, 2009. PNA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas was on an official visit to Romania over November 2 - 4, 2008 and returned to Bucharest over July 12 - 13, 2010, at the invitation of the . In his turn, President Traian Basescu was on an official visit to Ramallah on July 2009. Romania has contributed 150,000 Euros to the International Donor Conference in Paris (December 2007). MAE also allocated from the 2009 ODA budget 100,000 Euros to support the European Union police mission for the Palestinian Territories, as per the commitment made by Romania at the Donor Conference in support of Palestinian rule of law and civil security held in Berlin on June 24, 2008. The allocated funds were used to equip a police precinct in Bethlehem. Between 2009 and 2010, the Romanian Diplomatic Institute organized in Ramallah an intensive training program for Palestinian diplomats.

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Bucharest hosts business forum on business opportunities in Central and South-Eastern Europe Bucharest/Agerpres/ - The Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE) in cooperation with the Romanian Ministry of Economy, Trade and the Business Milieu, the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) General Secretariat in partnership with Forum Invest Bucharest and the GCC Federation of Commerce Chambers under the high aegis of the Romanian President organised the Romania- GCC business forum called "Business opportunities in Central and South-Eastern Europe", March 8-10, 2011, in Bucharest. Organisers said this was the first business event of such magnitude in Central and South-Eastern Europe. Its main aim was to highlight opportunities for economic, investment, business and trade cooperation among the participating countries. The forum was initiated by GCC Secretary General Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, Deputy Foreign Trade and Industry Minister of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Al-Hamoudi. Invited to attend were economy ministers, industry ministers and commerce ministers of GCC states, officials of other interested ministries, the management of main banks and national chambers of commerce, officials of the finance and banking sector, the investment, business and academic milieus. Representing Romania were the economics ministries, the National Bank, the National Council of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, the National Association of Romanian Exporters and Importers (ANEIR), other professional organisations.

Romanian rocket plane's official name is IAR 111 The supersonic transport aircraft to release the Haas II rocket initially named E-111, built by the Romanian Cosmonautics and Aerodynamics Association (ARCA) for the Google Lunar X Prize, was officially baptized IAR 111. 'It is a great honour and a big obligation for ARCA to contribute to the IAR's tradition that from 1925 till now, has been carried on by outstanding aircrafts worldwide such as IAR- IICV, IAR-80, IAR-93, IAR-99. To make an IAR plane is an opportunity, which any world aircraft maker would be proud of. IAR-111 will not only contribute to the continuation of the IAR's name, but will also represent the rocket plane to fly higher and faster than its forerunners, and help Romania's progress. We thank IAR SA aircrafts maker in Brasov (120 km north of Bucharest) for providing us such an opportunity,' ARCA press release informs, citing its president Dumitru Popescu as saying. The researchers of the Romanian Cosmonautics and Aerodynamics Association (ARCA) were working on the aerodynamic subsonic tunnel for the E-111 supersonic transport aircraft vying for the Google Lunar X Prize, ARCA official told Agerpres. 'Our researchers were working on the aerodynamic subsonic tunnel for the E-111 supersonic transport aircraft to vie for the Google Lunar X Prize. (...) The tunnel's test section measures 1.7 meters in diameter. In parallel, the ARCA team was manufacturing the positive matrix of the E- 111 cockpit. The first tests are due over the Black Sea, late in March, or early in April. The tests are required to find solutions for recovering the aircraft's cockpit,' Popescu explained.

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Most of the tunnel's parts are manufactured in the ARCA workshops at Valcea (southern Romania), but there are also parts made at Mangalia (southeast) or in Bucharest. 'The E-111 (Experimental - 111) supersonic aircraft needs customization and an ARCA sponsor chose the name, which surely is to enter the history of the aeronautics,' Popescu explained. The Romanian Cosmonautics and Aerodynamics Association (ARCA) is an NGO located in Ramnicu Valcea (south) topping the national aerospace researches that strives for winning the Google Lunar X Prize, and launching the first Romanian space rocket to carry an astronaut. The projects are exclusively funded on private sponsorships and donations. (ActMedia, March 15, 2011)

Nine Romanian companies attends Embedded World trade fair Bucharest, March 2 /Agerpres/ - Nine Romanian companies displayed in the Embedded World 2011 IT and electronics trade fair in Nuremberg, March 1-3, the Romanian Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Business Milieu (MECMA) reports. The companies representing the Romanian national pavilion were Arobs Transilvania, Brusch, Enea Services, Gotrack Tehnology, Pentalog, Samway, SVT Electronic, Systronics, Transilvania Software, operating in the areas of software applications, microelectronics, electronic module and equipment assembly, covering materials and components for microelectronic devices, and electronic packaging. MECMA says all these companies are interested in decreasing energy consumption, machine-to-machine communication (M2M) and wireless communication between devices. The Romanian national pavilion was organised by MECMA, the Romanian Centre for Trade and Foreign Investment Promotion and the Romanian Association for Electronics and Software (ARIES). Attending the Embedded World 2011 fair were specialists in hardware and software, innovative technology, telecommunications systems, electronics for home and industrial applications, defence systems and aerospace systems.

Over 2,600 construction authorisations were issued in January – increase by 17% 2,634 construction authorisations were issued in January this year, up by 17% against last month, while the number of authorisations for residential buildings ( which could have one or more residences) dropped by 8.6% down to 1,740 authorisations, the data published by the National Institute for Statistics show. Last year, there were over 55,000 residence construction authorisations, down by 16% against 2009. In January this year, there were issued 1,740 authorisations for residence construction ( which could have one or several residences) out of which 65% are for the rural area. The distribution at regional level shows a drop in the number of authorisations for construction issued for residential buildings which is evident in most development regions. As regards the number of authorisations for residence building, they went up by 17% in January this year, up to 2,634 authorisations. (ActMedia, March 1, 2011)

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17 companies submit bids for building Timisoara-Lugoj motorway As many as 17 companies or consortia of companies have submitted bids within the tender on designing and building Timisoara-Lugoj motorway, with eight firms being interested in the 9.5- km first segment, and other nine in the 25.62-km second segment, the National Company of Motorways and National Roads in Romania /CNADNR/ informs. Thus, bids for the first segment have been submitted by Straco-Azvi-Studio Corona, UMB- Tehnostrade-Carena, Doprastav-CCCF Timisoara, Vega-Selina-Consitrans, Balzola-Rover Alcisa sa-Puentes, Magenta-Assignia-Simarc-Specialist Consulting SRL, Eureca and Confort- MonteAdriano-Viaponte Projectos e Consultoria de Engenharia companies. The bids for the second segment of Timisoara-Lugoj motorway came from Impresa Pizzarotti- Impregilo-Pomponio, Tirrena Scavi-Condotte-Cossi, FCC Construction, Copisa-OHL- Soares da Costa, Lena-Gabriel Couto-Amandio Carvalho-Tehnologica Radion-Rosas-Arcadis, Max Boegl- Astaldi-Euroconstruct-Tancrad-Primacons, Viarom-Vectra-Tractebel, Strabag and SCCF Iasi- Colas-Egis companies. (ActMedia, March 8, 2011)

Romania's car fleet rejuvenated by two years The Romanian car fleet has been rejuvenated by two years to an average age of 11.5 years down from 13.5 years as per before the Old Car Scrappage Scheme was implemented in 2005, said the Association of Automobile Producers and Importers (APIA). The European average of the auto fleet stands at some 8 to 8.5 years old. The Old Car programme is at its sixth edition this year, yet to begin. Some 300,000 ‘ramshackle' vehicles have been scrapped since the start of the programme, mostly cars older than 20 years; 178,000 new cars that meet the Euro4 and Euro5 pollution standards have been purchased. 'The Old Car Scrappage Scheme should continue for four or five years if we want to have a much rejuvenated and less polluting car fleet. Romania is now undergoing the European Commission's infringement procedure over the particle emissions resulting from burning the diesel fuel by the vehicles equipped with such an engine', APIA Secretary General Marius Tudor said. According to APIA figures, there are more than a million over-15-years old cars currently in Romania. Romania last year imported 94,540 new cars and 214,606 used cars. 61 percent of the used cars were more than 10 years old, while 15 percent were less than four years old. The Romanian auto fleet totalled 5.42 million automobiles at the end of 2010. (ActMedia, March 8, 2011)

Garanti Bank expects EUR 5 million profits in 2011 in Romania With a local client base of 450,000, Garanti Bank has registered a 70 percent increase in assets in 2010, compared to 2009, reaching slightly over EUR 1.4 billion. The total value of loans reached EUR 786 million in 2010, 45 percent over the 2009 value. In 2011, the bank aims to reach EUR 5 million profit in 2011, stated Murat Atay, general manager of the Garanti Group. Loans and retail banking are part of this year’s strategy, as the bank hopes to extend its credit card portfolio by over 50 percent. At the press conference, Atay spoke about the local branch’s plans for the Romanian market: “We will continue to invest in developing operations in Romania and, at the same time, to maintain our initial plan of becoming profitable this year and of ranking in the top ten banks on what concerns assets in the near future. Outside profitability, the bank also aims to increase loans by 30 percent in 2011, develop the level of assets by 20 percent and increase deposits by

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25 percent. Moreover, we intend to develop our credit card portfolio by over 50 percent, going beyond 115,000 credit cards.” Garanti Bank representatives continued, stating that this year, the bank will focus on retail banking and SMEs. Loans, deposits and transactional banking are the bank’s main points of focus in Romania and its strategy is to focus on competition and drawing already existing clients, rather than attracting new ones on a market that still finds itself in recession.Another Garanti Bank representative also present at the press conference, Burak Yildiran, deputy general manager, stated that locally, the bank aims to reach 100 agencies in the future, this level being regarded as sufficient so as to cover the Romanian “bankable” population. (ActMedia, March 14, 2011)

Virginia Otel, HR manager at Garanti Bank, stated that the bank currently has 1300 employees. Of these, 150 were recruited in the last half of year, due to the bank’s development and territorial extension. No layoffs were made on account of the crisis, declared Otel. However, new employments are not expected for the first half of 2011. The Garanti Group has recently finalized its integration and rebranding process in which were involved three of the financial non-banking institutions that functioned last year under the GE Money brand. Garanti Group is currently formed of Garanti Bank, which has been present on the local banking market for more than 12 years. At the end of 2010, Garanti Bank expanded its operations in leasing and financial areas through the integration of three financial institutions: Garanti Leasing (the brand under which the company Motoractive Leasing IFN SA operates), Garanti Credite de Consum (the brand under which Ralfi IFN SA operates) and Garanti Credite Ipotecare (the brand under which Domenia Credit IFN SA operates).

Romania's 2010 IT exports stand at nearly 600 million Euros Romania's revenues from IT exports in 2010 stood at 500-600 million Euros, according to member on the leading board of the Association of Romanian IT Software and Services Industry Employers (ANIS) Liviu Dan Dragan. 'The outsourcing services generated almost 60 percent of the IT market,' says Dragan. The IT software and services industry plummeted 25 percent in 2010, but in 2011 it could level off.’ The decline will stop in 2011, at the same time with the economy. The stop in decline means getting out of the crisis. Services have reinvigorated more. I do not think the public sector is a growth engine for the IT industry,' says Dragan. ANIS Chairman Stefan Cojanu says the IT software and services industry is facing a depletion in the human resources pool.’ The companies are running out of resources to hire. Normally, young people are hired as they are still in school and they join a process of training. Their training is a struggle with many organisations to change something, to overcome the limits,' says Cojanu. Dragan believes the quality of human resources is improving.’ There is no decline in labour quality; there is a positive filtration of Romania's resources. Labour quality is on a rising trend,' he says. The main objectives of ANIS for the period immediately ahead are boosting the IT software and services industry, improving the health of the business environment, improving social responsibility and improving competitiveness to compete for foreign investment. (ActMedia, March 8, 2011)

Electrica has two projects of wind parks worth 238 billion dollar

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The company for the distribution and supply of electricity has planned to put into function in 2012 two wind parks with installed power of almost 100 MW following investments of 238.3 million dollars. One of the parks will be installed in Chimogeni, Constanta county, and the other in Frumusita, Galati county, both with installed capacity of 50 MW each. «For 2012, we propose to finalised at least one of them, so that we can become producers of electricity out of renewable sources» Eugen Bradean said, manager of strategy in Electrica, present at a forum on the theme of economic cooperation between Romania and the Golf states organised in Bucharest by Forum Invest. After the finalisation of construction of the two parks, Electrica hopes to get, annually, almost 660,000 green certificates, until 2017. After that period, the number will be halved, as the prices of green certificates are lowered. At present, green certificates are traded at 55 euro each, the maximum value according to the law, the minimum being 27 euro. Green certificates are documents issued by Transelectric which confirm the fact that the producer receives for each MW/hour, depending on the type of green energy a number of green certificates, traded on the Operator of Electricity market in Romania (OPCOM). Electrica is owned by the state through the ministry of economy and has 3.5 million clients. The company has shares in other companies, more exactly E.ON Romania (Germany) and Enel Romania (Italy). (ActMedia, March 10, 2011)

25th edition of Romania's Tourism Fair to begin at Romexpo, on March 31 The 25th edition of Romania's Tourism Fair is organized in the period March 31 to April 3, 2011, at Romexpo Complex in Bucharest, according to a release issued by the exhibitions complex. The TTR 2011 Spring Edition is addressed to travel agencies, tour operators, authorities and professional associations in tourism, organizers of congresses and business travel, spas and resorts, hotels, boarding houses, economic agents offering public food services, travel transport services, financial services and insurance, IT and reservation systems, education and professional training in tourism, culture and entertainment, publishing houses and specialized publications. Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism, also a participant as exhibitor, TTR Autumn 2010 edition brought together over 140 companies from 15 countries on an area of 5,000 square meters. As many as 30 percent of exhibitors came from abroad. (ActMedia, March 2, 2011)

Pound trades at 4.83 lei The exchange rate of the national leu currency resulting from the quotations announced on March 15, 2011, by the banks authorized to operate on the currency market is as follows:

1 British pound GBP 4.8304 1 Euro EUR 4.1865 1 US dollar USD 3.0183 1 Swiss franc CHF 3.2736 1 Russian rouble RUB 0.1048 1 gram of gold XAU 136.4027 1 SDR XDR 4.7336

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• Culture and Education

The opening of Rita Horowitz water painting exhibition Embassy of Romania – London/ On the 1st of March 2011, on the occasion of the Day of Mărţişor, the Embassy of Romania in London organized the opening of the water colours painting exhibition “Primăvara – A Spring celebration” by Rita Horowitz.

Discovering the illusive beauty of water colour, Rita Horowitz became a follower of Stella Cardew, whose magical gift of imparting her skills is legendary. Rita’s water colours are included in private collections world wide, being exhibited at The World Trade Centre and at Patchings Arts Centre. Her painting “Granada” won a national prize for expressiveness. Other works include marine and portrait subjects.

In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Romania, Dr Ion Jinga, referred to the significance of the day in the Romanian culture:

“It is not by chance that we organize today, 1st of March, this event. For us, Romanians, the coming of spring is a reason for joy which we celebrating every year. Rita Horowitz’s exhibition with its magic colours and artistic expressivity is leading us into a wonderful world. The Day of Mărţişor is an anciently inherited tradition: ancient Romans used to celebrate the New Year on March 1, when they used to give as a present a white thread plaited with a red one, symbolizing purity and love.”

This is the second exhibition of Rita Horowitz hosted by the Embassy of Romania, the first one taking place on the same day, 10 years ago, on the 1st of March 2001. That was the time when the artist kindly offered the Embassy two splendid water colours; one being today in the Ambassador’s office, the other one in the Embassy’s reception room.

There were present over 70 Romanian and British guests. The ceremony of opening the exhibition was followed by a reception.

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The Day of Marțișor celebrated by the Romanian students at the University of Nottingham Embassy of Romania – London/ The Romanian students at the University of Nottingham launched the invitation to celebrate the 1st of March to their colleagues interested in the Romanian tradition of Marțișor. Among the guests were their international colleagues and friends, including the Romanian researchers and professors working at the University. The guests have been greeted with traditional Romanian dishes. The coming of spring was

celebrated by dancing; the Romanian students were joined by the members of Latino and Capoeira Societies. Other artistic moments included Bulgarian and Indian songs and a sketch performed by the members of the Romanian society. “It was a genuine Romanian holiday! Our foreign colleagues were interested in the significance of 1st of March and the legend of the Martisor. All I can say is that they have enriched their knowledge about Romania this evening”. (Dumitru Bagdasar, the Founder) “I am delighted with this Romanian tradition. The artistic performances reminded us of spring, a season of joy. I enjoyed the sketch played by my Romanian colleagues and the Capoeira’s demonstration”. (Cecilia Torres, Peru) “We are celebrating today Martenitsa! It is a great feeling to keep the tradition at thousands of miles far from home. For this reason we played the songs this evening both in English and Bulgarian language for my colleagues present in the hall”. (Daniela Petrova, Bulgaria)

The event took place with support from the Embassy of Romania in London and the Romanian Orthodox Parish “Saints Peter and Paul”. Partners: Romanian restaurant “La Gogu”, Romania Food UK, Taxi Company “Rio Cabs” and The League of Romanian Students Abroad, UK branch.

About the University of Nottingham

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Founded in1881 as public college, it became a university in 1948. In 2005, it opened an international campus in Malaysia, and in 2006, another one in China.

The University of Nottingham is ranked among the top 10 in the United Kingdom and hosts 50 Romanian students, and popular choices include the Schools of Business, Arts, Science and Engineering.

Season tickets for George Enescu Festival put for sale on March 15 Season tickets for George Enescu International Festival and Competition, to take place in September over 1-25, are put for sale starting on March 15, while the individual tickets can be bought beginning with May 15, reads the music Festival press office. 'After the experience undergone a couple of years ago, the festival organizers together with Eventim (ticketing and live entertainment company - editor's note) decided to improve and expedite the ticket and subscription purchasing procedure for the 2011 edition of the George Enescu International Festival and Competition,' said Eventim Managing Director Valentin Vasiloiu. Both tickets and subscriptions can be bought online on the www.eventim.ro website or through the Eventim network covering the Germanos, Orange, Vodafone and Domo shopping centres, the Humanitas bookshops, the Eventim offices in Bucharest, the eventim websites abroad and the international Eventim networks. (ActMedia, March 11, 2011)

International Francophonie Day Embassy of Romania – London/ On 22 March 2011, 8.30pm, on the occasion of the International Francophonie Day, the French Institute in London organises the Francophone Week (13-20 March 2011), at Ciné lumière (Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DT) where will be screened shorts from Romania, Quebec, Belgium, Switzerland, Lebanon, Morocco and France.

This year, the Embassy’s proposal, the award-winning Romanian short film The boxing lesson (Lecţia de box), directed by Alexandru Mavrodineanu will be screened on Tuesday, 22 March 2011, at 8.30pm. The film tells the story of Victor, a businessman from Bucharest, who can no longer stand to see his son beaten up at school so he takes the boy to boxing classes. But twelve-year-old Vlad refuses to take part. To teach him a lesson, Victor enters the boxing ring himself. Boxing Lesson was selected by a number of international festivals including the New York Film Festival (2007). More details: www.institut-francais.org.uk

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The Annual meeting of the Romanian health care professionals working in the UK Embassy of Romania – London/ On 14 May 2011, the Embassy of Romania to London will host the Annual meeting of the Romanian health care professionals working in the United Kingdom, organised by the Romanian Medical Society in the UK (SMR-UK). The event will conclude with a private view of a painting exhibition featuring works made by the Romanian doctors living in the UK and their fellow colleagues from Romania.

The exhibition will be opened 14th – 21st of May 2011, and it can be viewed from Monday through Friday between 10am - 5pm.

Under the Radar - painting exhibition by Serban Savu 24 March - 8 May 2011

The Romanian Cultural Institute in London together with the PM Gallery & House present Under the Radar - Serban Savu's first solo exhibition at a public institution. Serban Savu's poignant paintings examine the daily routines and habits of people in modern Romania, revealing personal and communal activities while at work and leisure. People are depicted picnicking on small patches of grass between concrete blocks of flats; swimming and fishing in urban waterways; and standing on building sites, by roadsides and in neglected railway stations. Whimsical, melancholy, partly nostalgic and yet not without an air of optimism, Savu's new and recent paintings offer a portrait of a country coming to terms with its past, present and future. Published by Hatje Cantz, a new publication, Serban Savu, is being launched alongside the exhibition and will be available at the gallery for the duration of the exhibition. Serban Savu (b. in 1978, Romania) studied painting at the University of Art and Design, Cluj, Romania. Solo Exhibitions (selection): The Edge of the Empire, David Nolan Gallery, New York, U.S.A. and Behind the Walls, Laika, Cluj, Romania (2009); Harvest, Kontainer Gallery, L.A., U.S.A. and Girls, Plan B Gallery, Cluj, Romania (2007); Along the River, F A Projects, London, UK (2006). Group Exhibitions (selection): Size Matters: XS - Recent Small-Scale Painting, Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville, TN, U.S.A (2008); Re-construction, Biennial of Young Artists, Bucharest, Romania; Berlin Show # 1, Plan B Gallery, Berlin, Germany; Closer Still, Mihai Nicodim Gallery, L.A., U.S.A.; Days Become Nights, Galerie Hussenot, Paris (2007). The artist lives and works in Cluj, Romania. Under the Radar is curated by Matt Price. Pitzhanger Manor is the 'dream house' designed by Soane as a place to entertain his friends and display his collection of art and antiquities. Sitting in Walpole Park, central Ealing, Pitzhanger Manor and PM Gallery are owned and run by Ealing Council. When: 24 March - 8 May 2011; Opening Times: Tuesday-Friday 1-5pm; Saturday 11am-5pm; Closed Sunday & Monday. Where: PM Gallery & Pitzhanger Manor, Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, Ealing, London W5 5EQ. Admission is free to all visitors.

Arundel House, 4 Palace Green London W8 4QD UK Tel. 020 7937 9666 Fax: 020 7937 8069 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.london.mae.ro

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Alina Cojocaru in ‘Cinderella’, Royal Opera House 16 and 19 Apr 2011 at 19.30 Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD; Box Office: 020 7304 4000

Frederick Ashton’s ballet is especially demanding in its principal roles – with moments of breathtaking brilliance and great charm. It is the perfect way to enjoy some of the world’s greatest dancers bringing ballet to life. There are magical moments, as when Cinderella makes her entrance to the ball and her pas de deux with the Prince. But there is also humour with the Step-sisters, tussling with each other as well as failing to charm anyone else. Prokofiev’s music is one of the great 20th-century ballet scores – here conducted by Pavel Sorokin and Royal Ballet Music Director Barry Wordsworth – so rich in atmosphere and full of orchestral colour, a perfect complement to the stage pictures. Born in Bucharest, Alina Cojocaru trained in Kiev for seven years before joining School in 1997 on a scholarship. She joined The Royal Ballet in November 1999 and at the end of the Season was promoted from Artist to First Soloist. She was promoted to Principal after her performance of on 17 April 2001. Her classical repertory includes Odette/Odile in ‘The Swan Lake’, the title role in ‘Giselle’, The Sugar Plum Fairy in ‘’, Kitri in ‘’, Nikiya in ‘La Bayadère’ and Princess Aurora in ‘The Sleeping Beauty’. Alina’s repertory also include ‘Romeo & Juliet’, ‘Mayerling’, ‘Manon’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘La Fille mal gardée’, ‘Ondine’, ‘La Sylphide’ and ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, among many others. Details on www.roh.org.uk

Alina Cojocaru in ‘Rhapsody’ mixed bill, Royal Opera House 19 and 24 Mar 2011

Rhapsody / Sensorium / ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café

Arundel House, 4 Palace Green London W8 4QD UK Tel. 020 7937 9666 Fax: 020 7937 8069 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.london.mae.ro

Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD; Box Office: 020 7304 4000 24 March at 19.30, 19 March at 12.30 The variety in this mixed programme makes it enticing as much for anyone just discovering the thrill of world-class dance as for Royal Ballet regulars. It is a fabulous work for today’s Royal Ballet virtuoso dancers, contrasting lyrical pas de deux with astounding solos. Alastair Marriott’s ‘Sensorium’ – in its first revival – is a response to the evolving atmospheres of Debussy Préludes, within warm and spacious designs and with undercurrents of intimacy. David Bintley’s ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café is a famously popular ballet, not seen in full at the Royal Opera House since 1993. Details on www.roh.org.uk

Alexandra Dariescu (piano) at Wigmore Hall Friday 18 Mar 2011 19.30, Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP; Alexandra Dariescu is a popular young Romanian-born pianist. She completed her schooling in the UK at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. She has already performed widely internationally, has broadcasted on BBC Radio 3 and has won over twenty seven major competitions. In 2010 Alexandra was a Laureate at the Verbier Festival Academy where she won the CUBS Bank Verbier Festival & Academy Prize. Details on www.wigmore-hall.org.uk

Ion Grigorescu @ Tate Modern

The Romanian Cultural Institute brings the acclaimed artist Ion Grigorescu back to London for the first public presentation of his work in the UK, part of the group show Out of Place at Tate Modern. The exhibition in the Level 2 Gallery series features four artists from different backgrounds whose works focus on how political changes affect the lives of individuals. Ion Grigorescu (Romania), Cevdet Erek (Turkey), Hrair Sarkissian (Syria) and Ahlam Shibli (Palestine) expose the physical traces of historical shifts and political decisions. History marks the reality with monuments, the architecture of the new and the ruins of the old. Documenting memory-laden landscapes, new constructions, abandoned places and the voids left behind by migrants, the artists present a meaningful record of transformed reality and individual stories being lived within it. Ion Grigorescu (b.1945) has worked extensively with performance, which he documented through photos and 8mm films (most of them in black and white). After 1990 the artist staged a spectacular comeback with a series of personal exhibitions and happenings in Bucharest, Venice, Vienna and Amsterdam. His body-focused work from the 1970s has been rediscovered and Grigorescu is now unanimously acknowledged as a highly relevant contemporary artist. When: Until 15 April 2011. Open: Sunday - Thursday, 10am - 6pm. Where: Level 2 Gallery, Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Free admission.

Arundel House, 4 Palace Green London W8 4QD UK Tel. 020 7937 9666 Fax: 020 7937 8069 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.london.mae.ro