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

No. 9/ 4th Year 1st – 15th of May 2011 Politics 1. Romania is and will stay fully devoted to its European destiny 2. Lecture by Traian Băsescu, President of Romania 3. Minister Teodor Baconschi’s visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 4. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov at Cotroceni Palace 5. Dutch European Affairs Minister Knappen paid an official visit to 6. Foreign Ministry launches website for expat Romanians' vote by mail 7. Romania's contribution to human rights promotion and protection praised by U.N. Secretariat high officials 8. LIBE Commission adopts Coelho report on Schengen Area enlargement 9. Germany will support Romania and Bulgaria’s adhesion to Schengen 10. The Ambassador of Romania's lecture at the University of Oxford 11. The official opening of PiLON Training, Innovation and Vetting Centre 12. The Annual meeting of the Romanian health care professionals working in the United Kingdom Economics 1. National export strategy 2011 – 2015 2. Statistics: Industry turnover up 24.3 percent in Q1 3. New orders in industry advance 26.4 percent in Q1 4. Romania keeps 2015 deadline for Euro adoption 5. Oxford Economics improved Romania’s economic growth estimates for 2011 6. Positive reports on economy complicate monetary policy 7. Correction of foreign deficit shows Romanian economy has changed 8. Inflation will fall within set range in Q1 2012 9. Registering new companies will take three days 10. Bulgarian-Romanian Gas Interconnection Underway 11. Romania’s Top-40 state-owned companies to hire private managers 12. Constanta, the European city with the highest average speed of Internet connections 13. Benetton Group chairman, interested in investing in Bucharest Historical Centre 14. Portuguese investment worth 93M euro at Lehliu 15. Samsung: Home appliances market will grow in 2012 16. PwC report: Romania's Construction Market To Gain $22B By 2020 17. Franke owner sets up Swiss village near Timişoara 18. Pound trades at 4.70 lei Culture and Education 1. Legendary Romanian Dan Grigore in London 2. Romania at „Children and Families across Borders” London International Spring Fair 3. Museum night held on Saturday, 14 May 4. Bookfest 2011 at 6th edition

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

• Politics

Romania is and will stay fully devoted to its European destiny

Bucharest, May 9 /Agerpres/ - Romania is and will stay a state fully devoted to its European destiny and as Romanians and European citizens, we are duty-bound and have the potential to contribute to the assertion of the common identity of Europe, said President Traian Basescu in the message he sent on celebrating the Europe Day.

"It is in Romania's interest that the European Union we belong to should go on consolidating from a political and economic point of view. Romania is and will stay a state fully devoted to its European destiny. As Romanians and European citizens we are duty-bound and have the potential to contribute to the assertion of the common identity of Europe. We make more and more progress in the steps we are taking in order to make our being one of the Union member states bring as many benefits as possible both to Romania and the Romanians and to the Union and its citizens. Celebrating today the Europe Day confirms the fact that the most ambitious projects can come true and the common ideals can change into concrete policies to the benefit of all European citizens," reads the message sent by the Head of State and published by the Presidential Administration.

President Basescu thinks that today's Europe has made progress from the moment when it started putting into practice the "Great European project" and solidarity has stayed a fundamental principle of actions all over the community.

"The solidarity of the Union member states and of the community institutions is the more so remarkable in the current context in which the aim of getting out of the crisis and making an economic relaunch cannot be achieved if the Union takes no concerted and united action. This is the same as promoting a domestically powerful Union that should be capable of taking coherent action globally," added President Traian Basescu.

The President also said that the Europe Day was equally an opportunity for celebration and reflection, considering the fact that there will be 61 years since the first official step that, in the course of time, made it possible to build the present-day European Union.

In his message the President emphasizes the fact that the statement made on May 9, 1950 by French Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Schuman had the merit of putting Europe on the road to a common future of "Peace and prosperity."

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

"Today the European Union is made up of 27 member states, with a population amounting to over half a billion citizens, who benefit by rights and share common responsibilities. We are happy to celebrate the values and principles the European Union is grounded on: liberty, democracy, equality, the rule of law, the observance of human rights and, last but not least, solidarity. We also have the opportunity to evaluate the road the Union has covered so far, to ponder on what we are today and on the future direction in which the Union will develop," also says the Head of State in his message.

Lecture by Traian Băsescu, President of Romania Inaugural conference dedicated to LSEE Ghiţă Ionescu Memorial Series

Date: Monday 6 June 2011 Time: 5.15-6.15pm Venue: London School of Economics, venue to be announced to ticketholders Speaker: Traian Băsescu, President of Romania Discussant: Professor Vladimir Tismăneanu

The event is organised together by the LSE and the Embassy of Romania to the United Kingdom with the support of the Romanian Cultural Institute in London. It forms part of the LSE European Institute - APCO Worldwide Perspectives on Europe Series and is coordinated by LSEE (LSE Research on South Eastern Europe).

Ghiţă Ionescu Memorial Series are dedicated to the memory of the great Romanian-British Professor, with the purpose of increasing the cultural links between Romania and United Kingdom and to enhance the presence of Romanian personalities and topics related in the British intellectual-academic milieu.

The project is structured as a cycle of four conferences scheduled to take place between June 2011 – June 2012.

Ticket Information This event is free and open to all, but a ticket is required. One ticket per person can be requested on Friday 27 May.

Members of the public can request one ticket via the online ticket request form which will be live on this weblisting after 10.00am on Friday 27 May.

The ticket request form will be online on LSE web page for around an hour from going live. If after an hour LSE has received more requests than there are tickets available, the line will be closed, and tickets will be allocated on a random basis to those requests received. If after an

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______hour LSE has received fewer requests than tickets available, the ticket line will stay open until all tickets have been allocated. More information: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/publicEvents/events/2011/20110606t1715vLSE.aspx

Minister Teodor Baconschi’s visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Romanian MFA/ Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi made a visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 16 May, at the invitation of his British counterpart, William Hague. The visit provided the opportunity for an in- depth analysis of the stage of the bilateral relations and of cooperation at a European and international level, with a view to consolidating and boosting the Romanian-UK strategic partnership. The two officials talked about specific ways to boost bilateral commercial exchanges and British investment in Romania, confirming their positive trend in the last few years.“We have an ambitious, very dynamic cooperation agenda that confirms the objectives of the strategic partnership between our countries. I am confident that these objectives will be reflected this year in robust economic exchanges and new investment helping to enhance the competitiveness of the Romanian economy,” stated Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi. As far as European priorities are concerned, the common objectives related to the EU economic growth and competitiveness agenda were assessed, and so was the position on the EU’s post- 2013 financial perspective. Both countries favour implementation of the Internal Market, promotion of competitiveness and innovation, and support for the business environment. The two ministers expressed support for the EU’s regional initiatives geared at the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood, notably the Eastern Partnership. In this context, the Romanian Foreign Minister spoke of the progress the Republic of Moldova made in its drive to get closer to the EU and asked the British partners to support European projects targeted at that country. The two officials also underscored the need to promote a comprehensive, visionary European agenda towards cooperation partners in the Southern neighbourhood. In this line they reviewed the developments in the South-Mediterranean area. As allies, Romania and the United Kingdom share the interest in a democratic and stable evolution of the region. The two Ministers stated their full confidence that operations in Libya would be successful. In connection with the two countries’ participation in operations in Afghanistan, they acknowledged the excellent bilateral collaboration in the political and military fields, and assessed the prospects for continued collaboration in the process of reconstruction and transition. During his London visit, Minister Teodor Baconschi also met with Greg Hands, Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Romania and Parliamentary Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to whom he conveyed a request for support with a view to the UK lifting the restrictions on Romanian workers.

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

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov at Cotroceni Palace: Romania as link connecting it to EU Turkmenistan regards Romania as a link connecting it to the European Union, as a door to the EU, said, at Cotroceni Palace, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, who paid an official visit to Bucharest.

'I would like to say that, indeed, it is not our first meeting, it is the third one, and I want to emphasize the fact that there is a dynamic cooperation relation between Turkmenistan and the entire EU in general. As it is a neutral country, in all the steps and measures it takes, Turkmenistan does it under the aegis of the UN and, of course, of other famous international organizations. This is why I want to say that I am grateful to you and, first of all, to President Traian Basescu for your supporting us in all the initiatives we took on the international political stage. I am referring to aspects related to the energy security and the security of hydrocarbon resources,' said Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. The Turkmen President emphasized the intense activity carried out by the intergovernmental commission, which, he says, works very well for the development of the cooperation between the two countries. 'As for the trade relations, what interests us very much are such fields as constructions, transports, the textile industry, agriculture, oil and gas and a field that is quite new for us: tourism. We have also talked today about education, science and culture. ... We regard Romania as a link connecting us to the EU, moreover, as the door to the EU,' concluded the President of Turkmenistan. President Traian Basescu said that the two countries managed to consolidate an extremely powerful bilateral relation and added that Romania developed the policy of the European Union for Central Asia. The Presidents of the two countries voiced support for diversifying the supply sources and the energy routes as an essential precondition meant to ensure the energy security regionally and globally and agreed to continue the development of the mutually advantageous energy partnership. The sides emphasized the importance attached to the delivery of Turkmen natural gas to Europe, including the Nabucco and AGRI projects that are a priority to Romania. The two Presidents also emphasized the importance attached to extending cooperation in several fields such as the IT industry, constructions and infrastructure, transports, water management, agriculture, and voiced willingness to intensify relations in education and culture too. President Traian Basescu and his Turkmen counterpart also agreed on intensifying the cooperation between Romania and Turkmenistan in regional projects of mutual interest, in the areas of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. To achieve these aims the two Heads of State decided to empower their Governments to draw up an action plan for the implementation of the joint high-level statement made in 2009. The following documents were signed at the Cotroceni Palace, the two Presidents attending: a Memorandum of understanding on the cooperation in science and technology, the Protocol of the second session of the Romanian-Turkmen joint intergovernmental commission on

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______economic, technical and scientific cooperation, the Protocol on the cooperation in sea transports and harbour infrastructure between the Maritime National Company SA in Constanta and the State Service for Maritime and River Transport in Turkmenistan, the Action plan between Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Turkmenistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2011- 2012. At Victoria Palace, President Berdymukhammedov thanked PM Emil Boc for his support to the Romanian-Turkmen Inter-governmental Committee on Economic, Technical and Scientific Cooperation. Under an intergovernmental economic agreement of July 2008, a Romanian- Turkmen Inter-governmental Committee on Economic, Technical and Scientific Cooperation was set up as an additional framework designed to identify and promote opportunities for developing bilateral cooperation, according to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (ActMedia, May 13, 2011)

Dutch European Affairs Minister Knappen paid an official visit to Bucharest Dutch Minister of European Affairs Ben Knappen paid an official visit to Bucharest on May 11, at the invitation of the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi, the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE) reported in a press release. There were discussed topics related to current affairs on the bilateral, European and world agenda. Opinions were exchanged on the latest developments in and prospects for cooperation between the Netherlands and Romania, given a substantial dynamic of bilateral trade between the two countries and the shared interest in consolidating the partnerships between the business communities of the two countries. Also discussed will be the ways of materialising new wide-ranging economic projects, MAE reports. Among other subjects were Romania's accession to the Schengen Area; the reform of the European Neighbourhood Policy, with emphasis on the Eastern Partnership; supporting the European journey of Moldova, and the situation in North Africa and the Middle East, which includes migration issues. (ActMedia, May 11, 2011)

Foreign Ministry launches website for expat Romanians' vote by mail Bucharest, May 9 /Agerpres/ - The Foreign Ministry (MAE) launched, in the presence of chief diplomat Teodor Baconschi, the website that makes it possible for Romanian voters residing abroad to vote by mail. On this occasion, the Minister announced that the draft law was probably going to be first read in the Government meeting this week. Minster Teodor Baconschi also pointed out that the law for the vote by mail was a project he identified himself with and which was expected by Romanians living abroad. "It is a

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

project that I identified myself with and that I promote. I know it is expected by Romanians living abroad and it seems natural that they should make their voices heard in the political destiny of Romania," he said. The Foreign Ministry has initiated this law based on its experience with organizing voting abroad and similar bodies of legislation in force in Italy, Austria, Great Britain and Belgium were consulted when working out the draft law. Drafting the law was an inter-institutional effort based on the Foreign Ministry's cooperation with the Permanent Electoral Authority and the Ministry of Administration and the Interior. According to MAE, the law was devised in a spirit of open work, seeking to serve Romanian citizens abroad. The draft law launched by the Foreign Ministry for public debate on December 28, 2010 meets the requests of Romanian citizens living outside country borders and complements the legal election framework by introducing an alternative to classical ballot casting, after the model already applied in other European Union member states. The adoption of this law is expected to increase voter turnout, boost the number of voters outside country borders who so far did not participate in this democratic process because of the too great distances separating them from polling stations and of the queues they had to stand in order to cast their ballot. The draft law was published on the Ministry's website, section "Legislation" under the header "Decision-making Transparency," where it was accessible for 30 days, during the public consultation process.

Romania's contribution to human rights promotion and protection praised by U.N. Secretariat high officials Bucharest, May 5 /Agerpres/ - The Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry's State Secretary for Global Affairs Doru Costea met high- ranking officials of the United Nations Secretariat in New York, on which occasion they praised Romania's actions and contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights, particularly in its capacity of a humanitarian aid supplier.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, Costea met two senior U.N. Secretariat officials on the sidelines of the working visit he paid to New York on May 4-6: Ivan Simonovic, Assistant Secretary General for human rights and Catherine Bragg, Assistant Secretary General for humanitarian affairs and relief coordinator.

The talks held on this occasion focused on topical issues on the U.N. agenda, in the fields of human rights and humanitarian aid, such as the process of the Human Rights Council revision, the humanitarian situation in Libya, Cote d'Ivoire and Syria and the concrete ways in which Romania keeps on contributing to the humanitarian efforts made by the organisation and the international community.

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 ______

"The U.N. officials voiced appreciation for Romania's concrete actions and substantial contribution made to the human rights promotion and protection - particularly in its capacity of a humanitarian aid supplier - thus confirming the consolidation of our country's profile in the U.N. context", the release said.

The main goal of the working visit paid by State Secretary Doru Costea to New York is the promotion of Romania's candidacy to a seat in the Human Rights Council on behalf of the East European Group, amid the elections to take place on May 20.

On the first day of the visit, the Romanian diplomat had meetings with the group of developing small island countries and with the members of the Francophone working group called Democracy, State of Law and Human Rights. The topic of the talks with the Francophone states targeted the phase in the Human Rights Council revision, with the Foreign Ministry's state secretary unveiling Romania's stand on this process currently under way in New York. State Secretary Doru Costea also delivered a lecture to the renowned Harriman Institute for Russian and Eastern European Studies of Columbia University on the issue Eastern Europe and the Middle East - Two Decades and a Year On. LIBE Commission adopts Coelho report on Schengen Area enlargement Brussels, May 2 /Agerpres/ - The European Parliament's Commission on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), in a 33 to 3 vote, adopted the Coelho report on the Schengen Area enlargement, a document readings that Romania and Bulgaria have proved they are sufficiently well prepared to satisfactorily and fully enact the Schengen aquis' provisions.

"The 33 votes in favour and the 3 votes against, in LIBE, today, show there is a huge consensus on Romania and Bulgaria's joining the Schengen Space. I hope the vote due in the European Parliament's plenary meeting in Strasbourg in June, will have similar results like that in LIBE, and the plenary meeting will pass the report by a large majority. The two countries have been assiduously working on meeting the accession criteria, and it is correct they may join the Schengen as soon as possible," Rapporteur Carlos Coelho told Agerpres.

The report drawn up by the Portuguese MEP stresses that 'considering the results of the assessments and the required re-assessment visits by the think-tanks, the EP Rapporteur reaches the conclusion that although there are some different approaches that will require periodical information and future follow-up, they place no obstacle on the way of the two full Member States to join the Schengen Space The report emphasizes it must be taken into account the fact that the Bulgaria-Turkey- Greece area is one of the most sensitive of the EU external borders, in terms of the illegal migration. Therefore, it is necessary that Bulgaria should take some additional measures, particularly to prepare a special plan to include the implementation actions at the moment it joins the

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

Schengen Space, and also a joint approach by Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria so that they can respond to a likely surge in the emigrational pressure. The report also stipulates that the Member States should send written information notes to the European Parliament and the EU Council, every six months since the JHA Council's decision on the enactment of these additional steps comes into force, and it reaffirms that the removal of the border check-ups means a minimal level of the mutual trust among the Member States, regarding the existence of efficient check-ups at the external borders, as the Schengen Space's security depends on how accurately and efficiently each member country caries out the border check up. The LIBE members overwhelmingly rejected the three amendments the Liberal EP deputies Jens Rohde, Alexander Alvaro and Jan Mulder submitted, and where they denounced the corruption in Romania and in Bulgaria, suggesting they may not enter the Schengen Space, in 2011. Germany will support Romania and Bulgaria’s adhesion to Schengen if the EC report will be positive Gunther Krichbaum, the chief of European Affairs Committee in Bundestag declared at Sofia that Germany will support Romania and Bulgaria’s adhesion to Schengen if the European Commission’s report will be positive.

The German official said that Bulgaria and Romania have the chance to join Schengen before the end of the year, Novinite informs. During is talks with Bulgarian Parliamentarians, the German deputy offered many examples of corrupt Bulgarian ways from inexplicable wealth of Bulgarian customs officers to the weird necessity of patients to offer bribes in hospitals. Gunther Krichbaum referred to Romania, as an example following the recent measures to counter corruption in customs. The adhesion report to Schengen for Romania and Bulgaria receive a green light from the Civil Liberties Committee, part of the European Parliament. The two states complied with the necessary technical conditions based on the evaluation reports, European deputies claim. Even so, EP will have to be informed about supplementary measures that will be taken in Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece related to immigration management. The final vote on the file will be scheduled for June 4. (ActMedia, May 11, 2011)

The Ambassador of Romania's lecture at the University of Oxford Embassy of Romania - London/ Within the Central European Seminar Series, on 10 May 2011, at the Faculty of History of the University of Oxford, the Ambassador of Romania to the United Kingdom, Dr Ion Jinga, delivered a lecture on the topic: "Romania: from the crossroad of empires to a hub of European values”. The Ambassador of Romania made a comprehensive presentation of Romania’s history and its appurtenance to the pan-European architecture, about the role and cooperation opportunities offered by its geo-strategic position.

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

The Ambassador highlighted that: “Within the framework of West – East dichotomy, Romania was often described as a contact zone, whose unique features have been generated by its location at the crossroads of empires: Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Habsburg, Russian and Soviet. It is also described as a contact zone between the Latin and Slavic worlds, the Catholic-Protestant and the Orthodox Churches.

The best book of ancient history of my country is Trajan’s Column. Its reproduction could be seen at Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The carved stone proves our belonging to the pan-European architecture for 2 millennia.

Positioned on the longest river of the European Union, Romania covers the largest proportion of the total Danube basin area among the riparian countries (28,9 %), being also the contact point with the Black Sea, through Danube Delta. Thus, it constitutes the bridge to another important EU strategy, the so called Black Sea Synergy, by this Romanian belonging to the Central Europe through Danube, and to the Eastern Europe, through the Black Sea, connecting us to the Caucasus.

Today, the EU’s Black Sea Synergy provides a unique opportunity for cooperation offering practical solutions to vital common problems on environment, energy, good governance, civil society empowerment.

The importance of the Black Sea region, situated at the crossroads of three important areas - Europe, Middle East and Central Asia – has been traditionally recognized by the players having strategic interests around this sea.

Romania's major and consistent strategic interest in the wider Black Sea region is to actively contribute to consolidate stability and security in this important area. In order to reach this goal we are promoting sustainable economic development, as well as bolstering democracy and the rule of law, in accordance with European and Euro-Atlantic values and interests.

The EU aspiration towards a global role starts in its immediate neighbourhood. Romania is determined to support the efforts aimed at bringing more pragmatism and substance to our approach in the East, especially through the Eastern Partnership. The recent developments in the Republic of Moldova represent a real achievement for the EU Neighbourhood Policy and we should build on it”.

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

Organised by Dr Marius Turda (Associate Professor, Oxford Brookes University), the seminar proposes group discussions with students and academics currently engaged in research on Central and Eastern European issues in Oxford. This year between the guest speakers are Ambassadors of Central and Eastern European countries accredited to London. Dr Robert Evans, Regius Professor of Post-Medieval History of Central and Eastern Europe, moderated the discussion forum. The event was attended as well by the Head of the EU Representation in the United Kingdom, Ambassador Jonathan Scheele.

The official opening of PiLON Training, Innovation and Vetting Centre Embassy of Romania – London/ On May 6, 2011, in the presence of the Ambassador of Romania in the United Kingdom, Dr. Ion Jinga, took place the official opening of the PiLON Training, Innovation and Vetting Centre. www.pilon.co.uk

The Training, Innovation and Vetting Centre will be used for testing the various skills of PiLON's new operatives before they start work on a new site, for English language, new skills and health and safety training, everyone having the chance to learn and work their way up the organisation by enrolling in one of the PiLON Academies. Unskilled workers can enrol in an apprenticeship program, while skilled workers may become more efficient through continuous training programs. On this occasion, the President of PiLON, Florian Moldoveanu, the Ambassador of Romania, Dr Ion Jinga, the Mayor of Brent, Harbhajan Singh, and the MP for Brent North, Barry Gardiner, gave brief speeches.

Opening the event, the President of PiLON, Florin Moldoveanu, said: “We aim to provide our clients best services, this being the reason for which we are opening today our Training, Innovation and Vetting Centre. We believe strongly in professional development and we offer all our operatives the chance to grow and reach their potential and to advance their career within the company”.

“We chose Wembley for our central training hub because a significant proportion of our workforce is Romanian and based in this area. It is, also, very accessible for those who live in London or South-East England”.

The Ambassador of Romania addressed those present:

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

“It gives me great pleasure to be here today in Brent where more than 10,000 Romanians are thought to reside. It makes us proud to have such examples as PiLON, a successful business founded and managed by Romanian nationals. This is not the first time when I am visiting Brent. I have been here before and I had meetings with representatives of the local authorities. I was pleased to acknowledge that the Romanian nationals are well integrated and contributing through their hard work to the development of the local area.”

“I am sure that an example as such has to power to inspire other Romanians who are living in the United Kingdom to use their skills and creativity in order to build successful businesses”.

Both, the Mayor and the Member of the Parliament for Brent North, showed that the presence of the Romanian community is beneficial, Romanians being known for their entrepreneurial skills, friendly attitude, and hard work.

PiLON was founded by Florian Moldoveanu in 2004 and in that time has become one of the most dynamic and competitive specialist refurbishment companies in the UK.

Primarily PiLON are working for Main Contractors as their multi trade domestic subcontractor in the planned maintenance of social housing stock. So far, 20,000 properties have been refurbished.

PiLON has 80 employees in the senior management team and other management departments out of which 18 are British and 62 are Romanians.

On the construction sites of the company are working over 300 of skilled and unskilled workers, of which 48 are key workers. 95% of them are Romanians. Since inception, the annual turnover was £ 300.000 in the first year, and in 6 and half years PiLON reached £16.5 million.

In 2011, the company budget for staff training exceeds £200,000.

PiLON has been a finalist at the "Sub-contractor of the year" awards for 3 consecutive years and this year they have been awarded the "International Health and Safety" award by British Safety Council second year in a row.

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 ______

The Annual meeting of the Romanian health care professionals working in the United Kingdom The Embassy of Romania –London/ On May 14, 2011, the Embassy of Romania in London hosted the third edition of the Annual meeting of the Romanian Medical Society in the UK (SMR- UK), organised by SMR-UK (http://www.smruk.org). The event enjoyed a large participation, being attended by over 130 Romanian health care professionals.

The program included a welcome speech by the Ambassador of Romania in the United Kingdom, Dr. Ion Jinga, presentations held by: Dr. Gabi Badea, Vice-president, Coordinator of SMR-UK Scientific and social activities, Dr Lucian Ion, Consultant Cosmetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Vlad Schlezak, Vice-president, Coordinator of SMR-UK Arts and Medicine Department, followed by a Question and Answer Session. The event concluded with an artistic program performed by the Romanian tenor Robert Moldovan, Principal soloist at the Romanian National Opera, Cluj-Napoca, and with the opening the first painting exhibition featuring works made by the Romanian doctors living in the UK and their fellow colleagues from Romania. In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Romania emphasized on the importance of the presence in the UK and the role the Romanian health professionals can play in developing a strong and cohesive community, as well as in promoting our country’s image in the UK. “The Romanian community in Great Britain is well structured, being composed of a large number of specialists in medical and financial fields, as well as a growing number of Romanian students enrolled in the British universities. Since 2009, the Romanian Medical Society in the UK has conducted a strong, dynamic activity, expanding the cooperation by establishing partnerships and participating at professional events, both in Romania and United Kingdom, but also in other countries. The balance sheet of activities is impressive and includes interests even from outside the area, such as those related to arts and culture. We still count in the future on the enthusiasm and dedication of SMR-UK members, and on their involvement in projects to benefit both Romanians in the UK and our fellow countrymen in Romania.”

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 ______

Dr. Gabriela Badea, Vice-president and Coordinator of SMR-UK Scientific and social activities, made a presentation of the society and talked about the SMR-UK’s activities. Were mentioned the cooperation with various professional organisations in the United Kingdom, Romania and abroad, increasing participation at conferences, experience exchanges, the SMR- UK involvement in health care reform in Romania. Dr Lucian Ion, Consultant Cosmetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, held a presentation on “Plastic Surgery – An interactive future”, and Dr. Vlad Schlezak spoke about the activity of SMR-UK Arts and Medicine Department. The painting exhibition featuring works made by the Romanian doctors living in the UK and their fellow colleagues from Romania, can be viewed in 1 Belgrave Square, from 14 to 21 of May 2001, Monday-Friday from 10.00-17.00.

• Economics

National export strategy 2011 – 2015: Romania wants to get the markets in Russia, North Africa and the Arabic countries The ministry of economy launched for public debate a new National Strategy for Export of Romania, valid for the period 2011 – 2015. This focuses attention on the auto domain, furniture industry, textiles and IT. But there are also taken into consideration the new domains of global commerce demand, bio agriculture, agricultural raw material processing, low carbon emission industry, professional services, nanotechnology, design and renewable sources of energy valorification.

According to the strategy, among the markets are those of Russia, Japan, India, North Africa, the Arabic states. In this sense, the strategy considers as main objective the hiring by the foreign commercial offices of local personnel to ensure the providing of information and business opportunities as well as consultancy for business contracts. Thus, there will be a new system of foreign services of representation paid by the interested companies, and the use of such services to finance the hiring of local work force. «This is a new approach and it relies on the best practices in the domain, and they will be introduced gradually in the activity of the foreign offices, at first by pilot programmes on the markets of best interest (China, Russia, India, Germany and Italy), the strategy shows.

• In the sector of automobiles, there are 50 markets in the world, among which Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine. • In the sector of ship building, the target markets are the Middle East, North Africa, the EU member states and Japan. • IT&C, target markets would be Middle East, North Africa, EU member states and Japan. • For furniture, the markets would be the EU, Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East

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• Textiles, the market would be Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Japan, the US. • Footwear, the markets would be Russia, the Northern countries, the Baltic countries, Cyprus, Greece, Israel. • Ecological sector – the markets would be the US, Europe, Japan, the Middle East. • Handmade products the market would be the EU, Germany, Italy, the UK, France, the US.

The strategy deals for the first time with the issues of Romanian export depending on the region. “It pleads for the development of regional councils to create a framework for management of the export regional strategies” the strategy shows.

Among the regional strategies there are priorities specific to each region, which could differ from those at national level. Thus, some regions have prioritised some sectors: • Oil and natural gas, in region 3 South • Logistics in raw material delivery in Region 1 North-East • Construction materials in Region 5 West • Equipment and sanitary installations in Region 6 North-East

«It has become more evident that the role of clusters – territorial economic concentrations – in insuring international competitivity. International competition takes place not only among companies, but among groups of companies, and the development of clusters has become an objective not only at national level but at European level as well, in the Lisbon agenda» the strategy shows.

According to this, Romania is still behind as regards the real capacity to cooperate and to spread information in the clusters which have no efficient management structure capable of transforming a group of static companies into a network capable to promote business opportunities, innovation, information, technological transfer, in an active brand on international markets. (ActMedia, May 9, 2011)

Statistics: Industry turnover up 24.3 percent in Q1 The industry turnover in Q1 of 2011 went up 24.3 percent from the similar period of 2010; mainly due to the increase in the processing industry (25.6 percent).The mining industry witnessed a 0.2 percent increase, according to the centralized data of the National Institute of Statistics (INS). By large industrial groups, increases in turnover were registered in all sectors: in the intermediate goods industry (36.7 percent), the capital goods industry (31.2 percent), the energy industry (23.2 percent), the durable goods industry (9.5 percent) and the current goods industry (4.5 percent). In March, compared with February 2011, the industry turnover on the whole increased 17.7 percent, due to the advances registered in the processing industry (18.4 percent) and the mining industry (2.7 percent). By large industrial groups, increases in turnover were registered in all sectors: in the energy industry (22.1 percent), the intermediate goods industry (21.1 percent), the capital goods industry (17.2 percent), the current goods industry (12.4 percent) and the durable goods industry (10.7 percent). (ActMedia, May 6, 2011)

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New orders in industry advance 26.4 percent in Q1 The new orders in industry in Q1 of 2011 advanced 26.4 percent on the whole, due to the increases registered in all industrial groups.

The intermediary goods industry registered a 35.4 percent increase in new orders, the durable goods industry, 31.9 percent, the capital goods industry, 24.2 percent and the current goods industry, 6.1 percent, informs the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

In March, the new orders in industry enhanced 10.8 percent from February, owed to the increases registered in all industrial groups: in the durable goods industry (19.2 percent), the intermediary goods industry (15 percent), the capital goods industry (8.9 percent) and the current goods industry (4.6 percent).

Compared with the similar months of 2010, the new orders in industry in March 2011 advanced 14.5 percent on the whole, due to the growth registered in the durable goods industry (28.4 percent), the intermediary goods industry (22.4 percent) and the capital goods industry (11.9 percent). The current goods industry dropped 0.1 percent, Agerpres reports. (ActMedia, May 6, 2011)

Romania keeps 2015 deadline for Euro adoption The Romanian government decided to keep the year 2015 as the official deadline for euro adoption, participants in the executive’s meeting said. Prime Minister Emil Boc later confirmed the news, adding that the exact date when Romania would adopt the European common currency will be set after consultations with international partners. Premier Boc said the government will set up a committee to oversee the necessary steps in view of joining the Euro zone by the mentioned deadline. The committee will be headed by the Prime minister, aided by the central bank governor as Deputy president, the Ministries of finance and economy, as well as other high-ranking officials. The government approved Romania's updated convergence program for 2011-2014, which will be sent to the European Union.

The initial draft of the convergence program noted that Romania would not be able to join the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM-II) before 2013-2014. The document didn't specify a timeframe for the Euro adoption, unlike previous versions. MP Varujan Pambuccian said earlier that the government and central bank's governor Mugur Isarescu have decided to maintain the 2015 deadline for Euro adoption, but the national currency wouldn't be withdrawn from the market before 2016. (ActMedia, May 2, 2011)

Oxford Economics improved Romania’s economic growth estimates for 2011 from 0.1% to 1.2% Oxford Economics modified Romania’s economic growth estimate for 2011 from 0.1% to 1.2% this year due to optimistic perspectives for exports and industry and following some encouraging signals from the other economic sectors, Romanian news agency Mediafax reports. Analysts of the British institute estimated for 2011 a growth of 0.1%. Oxford Economics notes that the situation in the industry is uncertain, with ups and downs but the perspective is

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optimistic because the industrial production reached the highest levels in January and February and the use of the industrial capacity was close to the previous levels of the crisis. Exports however continue to bring a significant contribution to the growth of the economy and trust in industry continued to consolidate in the first months of the year, analysts report. Moreover, the institute signals a steady extension of the economic re-launch towards other economic sectors. (ActMedia, May 5, 2011)

Positive reports on economy complicate monetary policy An improvement of the country feeling, materialized in the reports of international analysts will draw volatile capital flows affecting the exchange rate, which will complicate the monetary policy of the National Bank of Romania (BNR), BNR Governor Mugur Isarescu said at the presentation of the quarterly inflation report on May 5.

'A cause of the inflation deviating from the projected path, coming from the foreign environment, is the one connected with the volatile capital flows. We are confronted with an improvement of the country feeling, materialized in the reports of the international analysts. We have not seen such an avalanche of positive reports in years. For BNR it is a complication. It complicates our monetary policy, the manner of action on these flows affecting the exchange rate. It helps us on short-term, but it draws us back on long term. An inflation target aims at maintaining a low inflation rate on larger periods,' Governor Isarescu said. Governor Isarescu pointed out that BNR was interested in long-term sustainability.

'We are not interested in the short-term influences on the exchange rate. We want long-term sustainability. The capital flows with positive evolution on the exchange rate only help us on short term. We want inflation to decrease in a sustainable manner. We do not deteriorate the medium and long-term prospects,' he added.

Correction of foreign deficit shows Romanian economy has changed The correction of the foreign deficit is grounded and it shows that the Romanian economy has changed, but economic rebalance will take time to become visible, Governor of the National Bank of Romania told a news conference where the BNR inflation report was released.

'The correction of the foreign trade deficit shows that something has changed in the Romanian economy, because this is a correction grounded in fundaments,' said Governor Isarescu.

He added that Romania has enough time to achieve economic rebalance.

He explained that the BNR does not have the data to be able to say that the appreciations of the local currency’s exchange rates are in accordance with economic fundaments.

He said the BNR is reticent about manipulating the monetary policy rate because any alternating development in this rate could generate uncertainties and could negatively impact prices.

'About the reticence of the BNR over the manipulation of the monetary policy rate, I can tell you that the bank has no short-term objectives, which could not be achieved anyway. The way in which the rate is connected to the price stability entails many confidence factors. Any upward or downward adjustments could induce confusion. We are not inflexible when it comes to the

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______monetary policy rate, but its manipulation to accommodate contradictory factors that influence prices would be of no benefit,' said Governor Isarescu.

Inflation will fall within set range in Q1 2012 Inflation in Romania will fall within the set range in the first quarter of 2012 and will record a slight rise in the first part of 2013, Governor of the National Bank of Romania told the news conference. 'Inflation should fall within the set range in the first quarter of 2012 and stay there, with a slight increase in the first part of 2012,' said Governor Isarescu.

The BNR Administration Board decided this February to keep the 2012 inflation target at the same level as for 2010, that is at 3 percent, plus/minus one percentage point, and keep the target set at 2.5 percent as from 2013. (ActMedia, May 9, 2011)

Registering new companies will take three days A commercial registered agent are the new category of the Trade Registry Office’s employees, who are to register a company, its merger or closure, within three days after application is put in, stipulates a draft law the Government promoted in emergency procedure.

'The commercial registered agents, a new category of employees of the Trade Registry Office, will have the public authority to register commercial companies, their split, merger or closure,' State Secretary with Justice Ministry Alina Bica said at the Victoria Palace.

Likewise, within two years, data on the registration of the companies and the natural authorized persons will no longer be published in the Official Gazette, but on an information platform that users can access, more cheaply, State Secretary Bica added.

Companies managers will no longer have to submit so many documents to the Trade Registry Office, when they get companies registered, but they are to use the e-signature. According to State Secretary Bica the commercial registered agent must have studied Law and have, at least five-year, work experience. The draft law will be tabled to the Parliament to debate and vote on. (ActMedia, May 6, 2011)

Bulgarian-Romanian Gas Interconnection Underway The gas connection between Bulgaria and Serbia will be funded within OP Regional Development The development of the gas interconnections of Bulgaria with Greece and Romania are a top priority for the government, said energy minister Traicho Traikov during a meeting with the ambassadors of EU-member countries. A joint-venture between the Bulgarian Energy Holding and Greek company IGI Poseidon has already been created. Furthermore the Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts are already constructing the respective stretches of the pipelines. Minister Traikov pointed out the gas connection between Bulgaria and Serbia will be funded within OP Regional Development. Talks are underway for a fourth interconnection with Turkey, publics.bg reports. (Act Media, May 5, 2011)

Romania’s Top-40 state-owned companies to hire private managers Romania’s largest 30 to 40 state-owned companies will have private management, and the government will employ an internationally acknowledged head hunting firm for executive selection, according to Jeffrey Franks, the head of the IMF delegation to Romania. The IMF is

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currently monitoring 154 state-owned companies, but not all of them can afford private management, Franks told MEDIAFAX in an interview.” We haven't defined the exact number yet, but we are thinking about somewhere in the range of 30 to 40 of the largest. There are hundreds of firms we are monitoring... we have a database of 154, but for the smaller ones it doesn't make sense, because the cost of hiring international private management is probably too high," Franks said. He added the executives could be Romanians or foreigners, as the human resources firms will organize an international selection process. Romania has a two-year precautionary agreement with the IMF, the European Union and the World Bank, worth EUR5 billion. (ActMedia, May 11, 2011)

Constanta, the European city with the highest average speed of Internet connections Constanta is the European city with the highest average speed of Internet connections, according to the State of the Internet report, published by Akamai, one of the world's largest providers of Web content distribution services, capital.ro site informs. Romania has retained the fourth place in the world according to the average Internet connection speeds, with 7 Mbps, according to the Akamai State of the Internet report on the fourth quarter 2010. South Korea remained the world leader with an average speed of 13.7 Mbps.Next is Hong Kong with 9.4 Mbps and Japan with 8.3 Mbps. In the top 100 cities, the first 55 spots are occupied by South Korean and Japanese cities. The Japanese have a total of 60 cities in Top 100, and South Koreans 16 cities. Constanta is ranked 56th, with an average connections speed of 8.23 Mbps, being the first European city in this top of average speed of Net connections, stresses capital.ro. (ActMedia, May 3, 2011)

Benetton Group chairman, interested in investing in Bucharest Historical Centre Benetton Group could invest in the Bucharest Historical Centre in order to revamp one of the areas belonging to the municipal authority, the interest in this respect being voiced by group chairman Luciano Benetton during the meeting he had with Bucharest General Mayor Sorin Oprescu at the Bucharest City Hall.

According to a release issued by this institution, Luciano Benetton seemed interested in cooperating with the Bucharest municipality in multiple activity sectors of the Group.

General Mayor Sorin Oprescu said that a

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Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______first step could be to find out the opportunities to initiate private-public partnerships whose area would be established in the months to come.

Prior to the meeting held at the Mayor's office, Luciano Benetton, architect by formation, paid a short visit to the Historical Centre, voicing his appreciation for the area's potential opportunities of tourism, culture and trade.

The Benetton chairman especially praised the willingness and receptivity of the capital's Mayor regarding this project, considering that Bucharest was an area of maximum interest in the past as well.

Luciano Benetton is chairman of the homonymous group, one of the largest European companies, present in more than 120 countries and with an annual turnover in excess of 2 billion Euros. (ActMedia, May 11, 2011)

Portuguese investment worth 93M euro at Lehliu Prio Foods Company belonging to the Portuguese Martifer Group will open a seed oil factory at Lehliu, Calarasi County (south), and which is a Greenfield investment worth 93 million Euros, the Ziarul Financiar reports.

'The event marks the begging of the works at the Prio Extraction branch that processes seeds and makes vegetal oil, for industry and consumption. The factory numbers 15 vertical silos, each being able to store 10,000 m3 seeds, two labs for oilseeds analysis and processing, and 90 employees, so far, but the Company targets to increase their number to 200,' Prio Foods sources say.

The production facility's storage capacity totals 316,000 tons for oil and 340,000 tons for grits, the figures having been achieved by an annual 8,000-hour activity cycle.

'We started works in Lehliu, in 2005, by having a bio diesel production facility built, and we still believe in the potential of this Romanian region, as Romania is a strategic development point of our Company, and a regional competence centre,' said chairman of Prio Foods Board Carlos Martins. Prio Foods operates in fields such as agriculture, constructions and renewable energy production. (ActMedia, May 11, 2011)

Samsung: Home appliances market will grow in 2012 Lucian Ghiţescu, manager of the Home Appliance division of Samsung Electronics, says the home appliances market will be stable in 2011, with growth expected only in 2012, although the worst has passed. Ghiţescu does not provide figures on the value of the market, but says it has fallen by around 40% against 2008. "After two years of decline, we can say the worst is over." At the end of last year, Adrian Olteanu, CEO of electronics and home appliances retailer Flanco, said the electronics and home appliances market could be valued at around one billion Euros. Samsung Romania, local subsidiary of the Korean giant, has around 300 home appliances in its portfolio, both free-standing and built-in. He says while in the case of the former, the market has reached maturity, there is still growth potential for built-in appliances. Around 60% of Samsung

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Romania's business is generated by sales to major electronics and home appliances retailers with nationwide store chains. Lucian Ghiţescu does not provide a figure for last year's turnover and says the company targets a 20% growth against 2010, without providing a figure for this, either. (Act Media, May 4, 2011) PwC report: Romania's Construction Market To Gain $22B By 2020 Romania will contribute by 22 billion American dollars to the growth of the constructions sector in the upcoming 10 years, representing the fourth biggest contribution in Central and Eastern Europe after Russia, Turkey and Poland but it will have even a bigger contribution than Czech Republic, Ukraine and Hungary to the world’s growth, a press release of the local PricewaterhouseCoopers branch. Central and Eastern Europe will be the second most dynamic emerging country for the constructions sector in 2010-2015 with an annual growth of 7.9%, a report of the Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics reads. According to the document, the increase of important economies in Asia and the recovery of the American market will be the two most important growth factors in the constructions sector for the next 10 years. Companies must decide how to best use their talents and develop the best alliances to benefit the growth opportunities in the sector, PwC Romania Partner Brian Arnold said. According to information previously published by Romanian construction entrepreneur association ARACO, the local construction market narrowed by 17% last year, to EUR9.7 billion. This year, the best case scenario puts the construction market at EUR9.5-10 billion, with expectations of growth in 2012. (ActMedia, May 13, 2011)

Franke owner sets up Swiss village near Timişoara Michael Pieper, owner of Switzerland's Franke Artemis group, with 2bn-euro turnover, who also owns 10% in Carpatair, has 20 hectares of land near Timişoara, where he wants to develop a "Swiss village"-type of housing project. "We're developing a real estate project in Timişoara, a Swiss village, with the housing units to be sold to Romanians. In principle, the price of land and of a house will stand at 100,000 euros," stated Michael Pieper during an event organized by Franke Group in Zurich on the occasion of the company's celebrating 100 years of existence. Franke's real estate investments are less known, in the context where in Romania Franke is known as a producer of luxury kitchen equipment. Franke's Romanian kitchen equipment business amounts to 10m Euros, down 8% from 2009. (ActMedia, May 11, 2011) Pound trades at 4.70 lei The exchange rate of the national leu currency resulting from the quotations announced on May 15, 2011 by the banks authorized to operate on the currency market is as follows:

CURRENCY SYMBOL RON 1 British pound GBP 4.7078 1 Euro EUR 4.1054 1 US dollar USD 2.9093 1 Swiss franc CHF 3.2750

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• Culture

Legendary Romanian pianist Dan Grigore in London Embassy of Romania - London/ On May 5, 2011, at the invitation and under the patronage of the Ambassador of Romania in the United Kingdom, Dr Ion Jinga, has been held a great recital by the world-renowned Romanian pianist, Dan Grigore. The event, dedicated to Europe’s Day, was organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute in London and the Enescu Society in Britain and took place in the protocol venue situated in 1 Belgrave Square.

Dan Grigore is one of the greatest Romanian . Concert pianist, professor, mentor and public figure, the artist made a name for himself at a very early age when, impressed by his precocious virtuosity, Princess Maria Cantacuzino Enescu granted him the rarely allowed privilege of practising on Enescu’s . Dan Grigore performed on the most prestigious stages all over the world being renowned for an impressive and diverse repertoire, as well as for an extraordinary discography and publications.

For his outstanding contributions to the Romanian and European Culture, Dan Grigore have been bestowed distinctions and important prizes including, the greatest Romanian distinctions, The Grand Cross of the Orders Star of Romania and Faithful Service, as well as the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres awarded by the French government.

The evening’s program has covered some of the best pieces ever written for piano: : Adagio, Frederic Chopin: Valse in C sharp minor, Valse D flat major (“Minute Walz”), Claude Debussy: La fille aux cheveux de lin, and Reflets dans l’eau, : The Prophet Bird, : Für Elise, and others.

In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Romania in London addressed those present:

“Tonight we welcome at London a personality that defines the excellence in Romanian culture like no other: Dan Grigore. Dan Grigore is a great pianist, a much-loved professor, a respected voice in Romania’s public life.”

“He is, thanks to his talent, courage and generosity, the perfect European. And it is no coincidence that we celebrate Europe’s Day with

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music because music may be the quintessential art of this fantastic project we call today the European Union. Music transcends easily all boundaries and is able to join people together more than anything else. Music is hard work, but the result is harmony. And even if Europe is not always a romantic melody, it is surely a great symphony in the making”.

Romania at „Children and Families across Borders” London International Spring Fair

Embassy of Romania – London/ Between 10-11 May 2011, the Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom participated with a national stall at Children and Families across Borders–CFAB UK World Market (www.cfab.uk.net).

The Romanian stall was organised with the support of the Romanian Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism and with extra-budgetary funding.

This year, too, Romania’s stall was visited by HRH Princess Alexandra, as well as by Her Majesty’s Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Charles Gray CMG.

The visitors could admire the Romanian exhibits such as: Marginea ceramics, Horezu pots, Orthodox icons painted on glass, traditional hand made towels and costumes.

Children and Families across Borders–CFAB UK World Market is a world wide charity where over 100 countries are represented through the Diplomatic Missions accredited in London.

Traditionally, the Kensington&Chelsea Town Hall is hosting the fair which is organised under the patronage of HRH Princess Alexandra.

Museum night held on Saturday, 14 May Over 20 museums in Bucharest and another 30 in other towns celebrated Museum Night on May 14, the official site of the event informs. In Bucharest one could see: concerts – Trei Parale, Norzeatic and Khidja, Avant’n’Gard, “I recognize you in the dark, Bucharest” (poetry and music), Pontice group (Medieval music concert), Anton Pann group, the launch of the book “Don’t buy this book”, workshops for pottery, weaving, and popular masks. On 14 May, at night, Bucharest museums expected visitors for exhibitions, music shows, theatre and film, special interactive events. (ActMedia, May 11, 2011)

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Bookfest 2011 at 6th edition Bucharest, April 26 /Agerpres/ - The sixth edition of Bookfest 2011 International Book Show, is due at the Bucharest-based Romexpo Exhibition Center, on May 25-29, Romanian Publishers' Association (AER) informs. In a welcoming "house of the books", for five days long, the event is to bring together Romanian and international publishers, culture personalities, journalists and friends, all age, of the Show's star guest, the Book. "Bookfest is a sign of continuity, for an already long time," Romanian Publishers' Association (AER) president Grigore Arsene told Agerpres, stressing that all the big publishing houses to attend this year edition, will propose important launches of books by well-known authors. Over 100 publishing houses, among which Humanitas, Curtea Veche and Adevarul Holding have booked 80 percent of the exhibition's space, so far, Arsene pointed out. After having Spain as a special guest, in 2010, this year, Bookfest will have Hungary as a special guest, which Romania is related to, through old cultural dialogue traditions. In the respect, AER aims at emphasizing Hungary's rich cultural heritage and boosting Romanian readers' interest in knowing it more deeply. Hungary has been holding the EU Council's Presidency, during the first half of the year. The visitors are invited to join the talks about and among the Hungarian and the Romanian writers, simultaneous interpretation services being provided. The organizers also offer concerts by Mircea Tiberian, Mike Godoroja & the Blue Spirits and the Taxi Band, while the Hungarian guests are to show two performances. It was AER that started Bookfest, in 2006, as an appropriated exhibition framework to the Romanian book publishers and it supplies information to booklovers. The entrance is free between 10 am and 10 pm, local time, on all the five days of the event. AER was founded in 1991 and is the main professional association of the Romanian publishers in all fields of cultural interest, and it promotes writing and reading high quality books, and enables the readers' access to books, contributing thus to the free movement of the ideas, as well as to the integration of the Romanian culture and language into the world values circuit.

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