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

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

No. 5/ 6th Year 1st-15th of September 2013

POLITICS

1. President Basescu: Romania kept its lines of cautious foreign policy against an intervention in Syria 2. Senate rejects application for new examination and adopts referendum law in initial form 3. Romania concurs with the position taken by the eleven states of G20 towards Syria 4. Minister Dusa: American side starts work on Deveselu military base next month 5. ForMin Corlatean voices interest in Romanian-Polish common regional energy market 6. Sikorski on problem of Moldovan wines: Politically motivated boycotts are unacceptable and illegal 7. European Parliament backs rules allowing suspension of visa-free travel for Romanians only as a last resort

ECONOMICS

1. Romania must pay 157.3 million euros to IMF, EUand IBRD in September 2. Gov't: Romania got over 1.46 bln euros from European Commission's Cohesion Fund in Jan.-July 3. Excise taxes introduced on gold, platinum, furs, powerful cars, yachts, guns and ammunition 4. Romania, China signed MoU paving way for Romanian pork exports to Asia's largest economy 5. BNR hard currency reserves droped to bln 32.173 euros in Aug 6. Minister Teodorovici: Romania could cash in another record amount from EU this autumn 7. Industrial production prices, up 1.6pct in Romania in July 2013 8. SIFs plan joining into consortium to refloat insolvent company Oltchim 9. Individuals may buy farmland if they have worked in agriculture, at least 5 years (draft law) 10. Tradeville: Nuclearelectrica IPO, a good speculative occasion for small investors 11. Dacia launched the new Duster on Tuesday, at the Auto Fair in Frankfurt

SOCIAL

1. Genocide charge for Alexandru Visinescu 2. Prosecutor's Office files complaint in case of 4 y.o. boy killed by stray dogs, in Bucharest 3. Most efficient part of Romania population works in EU countries, said CtrlBank official 4. US Holocaust Memorial Council to be granted access to MApN 1938-1964 archives 5. Occupations, trades in Romania's workforce map

CULTURE

1. Daniel Barenboim conducted Staatskapelle Berlin in opening George Enescu Festival 2. Mons. Vladimir Ghika was beatified in Bucharest 3. Futuro Textiles has started its world journey in Timisoara 4. Over 150 specialists attended in Bucharest IATA Aviation Day Eastern Europe 5. National Honey Fair: Honey and honey products in Bucharest

Politics

1. PRESIDENT BASESCU: ROMANIA KEPT ITS LINES OF CAUTIOUS FOREIGN POLICY AGAINST AN INTERVENTION IN SYRIA

President Traian Basescu said that Romania will be a political partner to its allies in the Syrian file, but if a military solution is chosen, Romania will not have the military resources to match the kind of operation envisaged.

Arundel House, 4 Palace Green London W8 4QD UK Phone: 0044 (0)20 7937 9666 Fax: 0044 (0)20 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 ______

He reiterated the fact that a military decision in this case should not be taken before the release of the UN expert report on Syria, and that Romania is unreservedly supporting a negotiated solution.

2. SENATE REJECTS APPLICATION FOR NEW EXAMINATION AND ADOPTS REFERENDUM LAW IN INITIAL FORM

The senators, in the plenary meeting on 3rd of September rejected the application for reexamination made by President Traian Basescu to Parliament for amending the referendum law, namely to establish an attendance quorum amounting to 30 percent of the number of people on the electoral registers and a validation quorum equal to the majority of the validly cats votes, but not less than 25 percent of the number of people on the electoral rolls for all kinds of referendum.

3 ROMANIA CONCURS WITH THE POSITION TAKEN BY THE ELEVEN STATES OF G20 TOWARDS SYRIA

Romania embraces the position taken on the occasion of the meeting in St. Petersburg by the leaders of the eleven countries of the G20 towards the situation in Syria, Romanian President Traian Basescu made an announcement on Monday.

Titus Corlatean said that the tragedy continuing in Syria generates, among other aspects, serious problems of credibility and authority for the international system based on the UN Charter. According to President Traian Basescu, an important aspect is represented by the fact that the Declaration recognizes that no military solution is fit for Syria and that there is need of a peaceful, political solution.

4 MINISTER DUSA: AMERICAN SIDE STARTS WORK ON DEVESELU MILITARY BASE NEXT MONTH

Minister of Defence Mircea Dusa said at Deveselu, Olt County (southern Romania), that in early October the American partners would begin work on the Deveselu military base.'In a very short time span, we shall be there with the American side, of course for the American side to start work on the base proper. Probably early next week,' said Minister Dusa.

He visited the base at Deveselu, where the Romanian servicemen work to make some arrangements the Ministry of Defence must ensure, such as the fence surrounding the military base, a road in the near vicinity that will be used for patrolling, a level crossing, etc.

6. FORMIN CORLATEAN VOICES INTEREST IN ROMANIAN-POLISH COMMON REGIONAL ENERGY MARKET

Romania's Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean on Wednesday, 11 of September, welcomed his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski, as part of Sikorski's on-going visit to Romania, to whom he voiced interest in the establishment of a common regional energy market that will use national energy resources, including shale gas.

Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE) reported that talks between the two ministers focused on priority fields for bilateral cooperation consolidated ever since 2009 at the level of a strategic partnership on current European affairs, including regional agenda as well as on the latest developments in the world's security.

6. SIKORSKI ON PROBLEM OF MOLDOVAN WINES: POLITICALLY MOTIVATED BOYCOTTS ARE UNACCEPTABLE AND ILLEGAL

The politically motivated commercial boycotts are unacceptable, illegal and run counter to the rules of the World Trade Organization, said Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on Wednesday in Bucharest, referring to the embargo on Moldovan wines that was imposed by Russia.

The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs said during the talks that Bucharest was resolved to prove solidarity with Chisinau and added that the step taken by Moscow might be interpreted 'as a form of pressure.'

7. EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT BACKS RULES ALLOWING SUSPENSION OF VISA- FREE TRAVEL FOR ROMANIANS ONLY AS A LAST RESORT

Reciprocity rules enabling the EU to reimpose visa requirements for nationals of countries that still impose them on EU citizens were adopted by the Eupopean Parliament last week, in a revision of the EU visa regulation. Under the new rules, the EU will also be able to temporarily suspend its visa-free travel arrangements with third countries to halt substantial and sudden increases in irregular migrant numbers or unfounded asylum requests, but only as a last resort.

The USA, for example, currently requires visas for EU citizens from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania and Poland, and Canada requires them for those from the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Romania.

Economics

1. ROMANIA MUST PAY 157.3 MILLION EUROS TO IMF, EUAND IBRD IN SEPTEMBER

Romania in September must pay more than 157.3 million euros to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Union (EU) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) of the stand-by loan contracted in 2009, according to the data supplied by Romania's Government.

2. GOV'T: ROMANIA GOT OVER 1.46 BLN EUROS FROM EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S COHESION FUND IN JAN.-JULY

Romania got over 1.46 billion euros from the European Commission's Cohesion Fund in the seven months of the year, with the public sector receiving 876 million euros of this amount, the Government's Press Bureau announced on Thursday. The beneficiaries of the EU funds operate in the private sector - companies, NGOs - and in the public sector: the central and local public administration, the Executive added.

3. EXCISE TAXES INTRODUCED ON GOLD, PLATINUM, FURS, POWERFUL CARS, YACHTS, GUNS AND AMMUNITION

The Ministry of Public Finance (MFP) will introduce as of September 1 excise duties on gold and platinum jewelry - wedding bands excepted - of 1 euro per gram for less than 14K gold, and two euros per gram for gold over 14K, provides a Government Urgency Ordinance adopted at the end of July. Other luxuries (natural fur garments, new and used (imported) cars, firearms, sailing vessels) too will be subject to excise duties as of September 1. The rise in excise duties on certain luxury

Arundel House, 4 Palace Green London W8 4QD UK Phone: 0044 (0)20 7937 9666 Fax: 0044 (0)20 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 ______goods and the introduction of new excise duties for other goods is intended to offset the possible impact on budget revenues of the cutback from 24% to 9% of the VAT on bread. Additional revenues from excise duties are estimated at RON 300 million by the end of 2013.

4. ROMANIA, CHINA SIGNED MOU PAVING WAY FOR ROMANIAN PORK EXPORTS TO ASIA'S LARGEST ECONOMY

Romania and China on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on animal health and food safety, which will offer Romanian farmers and producers the opportunity to enter with Romanian pork and cattle a 2 billion-strong market with a huge demand for food products. 'I am firmly convinced that Romania has a lot to offer and the opportunity opens now for us to cooperate in other areas too. Our move today to open trade with China in the animal health area is highly important,' said ANSVSA president Manastireanu. For Romanian companies in the food industry, but also for animal breeders, the signing of this memorandum does not only open access to a market of two billion people, but is also a guarantee that exports can start to third countries such as Vietnam, Hong Kong and Algeria.

5. BNR HARD CURRENCY RESERVES DROPED TO BLN 32.173 EUROS IN AUG

The hard currency reserves of Romania's Central Bank (BNR) dropped by 3.53 percent, late in Aug 2013, compared to the level they registered at the end of the month before, attaining 32.173 billion euros, informs BNR release sent to Agerpres. BNR inflows attained 888 million euros, in August, representing the modification of the minimal hard currency reserves of the banks, the supply to the EU Commission account the supply to the accounts of the Ministry of Public Finance etc.

6. MINISTER TEODOROVICI: ROMANIA COULD CASH IN ANOTHER RECORD AMOUNT FROM EU THIS AUTUMN

Romania could reach a new record high his autumn of amounts extended from European funds as payments under operational programme economic competitiveness resume, according to Minister for European Funds Eugen Teodorovici

'First of all, 2013 is a peak payment year, as it was planned way back in 2006. Secondly, we have to mend the deficiencies in the system that the European Commission identified in 2009-2011. Thirdly, the 2.5 billion euros planned as revenue for the 2013 national budget should be realised as the budget law requires. Then, there is a last point, namely the next financial framework, the 2014-2020 partnership agreement with all that it entails: funding priorities, fewer management structures and operational programmes, and a simplified system, that is a much more pragmatic approach,' Teodorovici explained.

7. INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION PRICES, UP 1.6PCT IN ROMANIA IN JULY 2013

Romania's FOB exports attained record level of 19.935 billion lei (4.482 billion euros), while the CIF imports reached 22.467 billion lei, namely 5.056 billion lei, in July, and this according to the preliminary assessments the National Statistics Institute (INS). Compared to July 2012, the exports grew by 16.1 percent in lei, namely 18.1 percent in euros, while the imports went up 9.3 percent in lei, i.e. 11.3 percent in euros.

8. SIFS PLAN JOINING INTO CONSORTIUM TO REFLOAT INSOLVENT COMPANY OLTCHIM

The five Financial Investment Companies (SIFs) plan to join into a consortium that should step into refloating the Oltchim chemical plant, envisaging investments in a project that should integrate the Ramnicu Valcea-based Oltchim and the Chimcomplex Borzesti facility.

'In this context, the president of SIF Moldova announced the imminent establishment of a consortium of the SIFs that plans to get involved in settling the situation of Oltchim, which is considered a project of national interest. In the opinion of the dialogue partners, the consortium is interested in keeping the plant operational after privatization and therefore, their intention is to invest in a project that integrates Oltchim Ramnicu Valcea and Chimcomplex Borzesti and whose strengths would be the advantageous geographical position, the international outlet markets that can absorb 70% of the Oltchim and Chimcomplex joint output, and the mostly upgraded installations, which are competitive in terms of costs,' the release mentions.

9. INDIVIDUALS MAY BUY FARMLAND IF THEY HAVE WORKED IN AGRICULTURE, AT LEAST 5 YEARS (DRAFT LAW)

Individuals will be allowed to buy farmland situated out of the city limits, only if they have worked in agriculture at least five years or prove they have agricultural knowledge, stipulates the daft law on purchase of farmland out of the city bounds, by individuals.

Lessees willing to buy farmland out of the city limits, must get the right to lease the land, by a leasing agreement concluded for at least 5 years, for the land on sale, and be registered in compliance with Art.1838 of the New Civil Code.

The individuals who buy farmland having irrigation infrastructure, or land reclamation works on it, they are legally bound to keep it, at least in the same state as they bought it, the National Authority for Land Reclamation assent reads.

10. TRADEVILLE: NUCLEARELECTRICA IPO, A GOOD SPECULATIVE OCCASION FOR SMALL INVESTORS

The initial public offering (IPO) of a 10-per cent stake in Romania's Nuclearelectrica national nuclear power corporation (BVB symbol: SNN), to be unfolded September 9 -20 for asking prices of between RON 11.2 and RON 15 per share, is offering small investors a good speculative opportunity, especially in the case of underwritings in the first three days that are extended an 8-per cent discount, reveals an analysis of stock broker Tradeville.

It was pointed out that this is the first IPO at the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) since 2008 in a favourable global context when the good economic fundamentals of Romania could attract the attention of foreign investors. Moreover, the corporation is the sole nuclear power operator, owning two of the world's most efficient nuclear power reactors in the world, churning out stable, inexpensive energy

11. DACIA LAUNCHED THE NEW DUSTER ON TUESDAY, AT THE AUTO FAIR IN FRANKFURT

The auto builder Dacia will launch at the Auto Fair in Frankfurt the new Duster with a more modern exterior and a changed interior, with new tapestries and a new dashbord, the company announced. The model comes with another interior, modern and confortable which reflects the belonging to models 4x4.To underline the design and the 4x4 characteristics of the new Duster Dacia offers various possibilities of personalising through means of a whole range of accessories.

Social

1. GENOCIDE CHARGE FOR ALEXANDRU VISINESCU

Prosecutors of the High Court of Cassation and Justice have charged Alexandru Visinescu, the former commandant of the Penitentiary in Ramnicu Sarat (southern Romania), between 1956- 1963, with committing genocide.

Alexandru Visinescu was one of the 35 torturers identified by the Institute of Investigation of Communist Crimes. A criminal complaint was filed against him by the former political detainees who described him as an 'extremely cruel' individual.

Following the investigations, the Institute for the Investigation of Communist Crimes and the Memory of Romanian Exile (IICCMER) found evidence indicating the fact that, while Lt.Col. (now in reserve) Alexandru Visinescu was commandant of the prison in Ramnicu Saracu, between 1956-1963, the political detainees here were submitted to an extremely sever detention regime.

2. PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE FILES COMPLAINT IN CASE OF 4 Y.O. BOY KILLED BY STRAY DOGS, IN BUCHAREST

The Prosecutor's Office attached to Bucharest Law Court filed court case to investigate the death circumstances of the 4 y.o. boy killed by stray dogs in Bucharest.

3. MOST EFFICIENT PART OF ROMANIA POPULATION WORKS IN EU COUNTRIES, SAID CTRLBANK OFFICIAL

The most efficient part of the Romanian population works in the European Union countries and the direct foreign investments prefer the retail trade sector, with the prevailing strategy being to recover the costs on the short-term, says a paper published on the National Bank of Romania's website by Marin Dinu, a member in the Central Bank Board of Directors.

Dinu argued that an aspect boosting the consequences of the under-development state relates to mentality, namely the practice of endlessly resuming the development projects absorbed by the mechanics of the changes of regime or governments, the circularity of internal trends - external trends that has been manifest at a pace having cast a shadow on the development effects.

'The pressure for adopting the regional models (of dependence and also of independence) has annihilated the creativity of the own forces, the continuity line of the identity, the prestige and recognition as a territory where the locals know what they want and do what they propose', the report says.

Dinu unveiled the paper at the educational project entitled Academica BNR 2013, held in the Black Sea port of Constanta on Sept. 2-6. The forum seeks to consolidate the dialogue between the central bank, the institutional economic milieu and the academic community. Launched in 2011, Acadmica BNR is a programme targeting the university teaching staff, which completes the range of educational projects aimed at raising the Romanian public's financial culture level.

4. US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL COUNCIL TO BE GRANTED ACCESS TO MAPN 1938- 1964 ARCHIVES

Romania's National Defence Ministry (MApN) will secure access of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council to documents as well as the dossiers of soldiers and civilians accused of war crimes and anti-Jewish measures in the years 1938-1964, according to a decision of the Romanian Government passed recently.

The decision approves an amendment signed on May 9 in Bucharest to a protocol between Romania's Ministry of National Defence and the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, signed in Washington D.C. on September 18, 2002.

5. OCCUPATIONS, TRADES IN ROMANIA'S WORKFORCE MAP

Most Romanians working with legal forms are workers, equipment operators, teachers and educators, according to the latest survey conducted by the National Statistics Institute (INS).

The map of occupations in Romania numbers over 980,000 workers, more than 465,000 machinery and equipment operators and over 227,000 teachers and educators, who are working with legal forms and full time in Romania, according to the latest survey conducted by the INS on salaries per occupations, in October 2012, and posted by ECONOMICA.NET.

Salespeople, cashiers, commercial clerks (without cashiers in banks) exceeded 212,000. Added to them there are drivers, equipment operators - over 176,000, general managers, CEOs, managers of enterprises - over 95,000, engineers - in excess of 96,000, security staff - over 85,000, and economists - more than 59,000.

Culture

1. DANIEL BARENBOIM CONDUCTED STAATSKAPELLE BERLIN IN OPENING GEORGE ENESCU FESTIVAL

The 2013 George Enescu International Festival begun on Sunday 1st of Sepetember. The prestigious orchestra Staatskapelle of Berlin, conducted by Maestro Daniel Barenboim, gave the opening concert in the Big Palace Hall. The soloist was the Romanian born piano player Radu Lupu, who has been acclaimed on the important international stages of the world and who will play Ludwig van Beethoven's Concerto No 4 for Piano and Orchestra in G Major, Op 58. The George Enescu International Festival is the only international cultural event to be organized by Romania and a genuine country cultural brand. More than 150 events are scheduled to take place during the Enescu Festival between September 1 and 28 in Bucharest and in several cities of Romania: Arad (western Romania), Bacau (eastern Romania), Brasov (central Romania), Cluj (western Romania), Iasi (eastern Romania), Oradea (western Romania), Sibiu (central Romania) and Timisoara.

Being held every two years, the George Enescu Festival was founded in 1958 as a sign of the recognition of the Enescu genius, in order to pay homage this way to the life and creation of the great Romanian composer. The first editions of this festival and contest brought together remarkable personalities of the international music life of that time, some of whom were Yehudi Menuhin, David Oistrakh, Sviatoslav Richter and Herbert von Karajan.

2. MONS. VLADIMIR GHIKA WAS BEATIFIED IN BUCHAREST

Monsignor Vladimir Ghika (1873 - 1954), a Roman Catholic priest and Romanian prince, was beatified on Saturday, August 31, being declared 'blessed' in a Solemn Liturgy presided by Pope Francis's envoy Cardinal Angelo Amato, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

3. FUTURO TEXTILES HAS STARTED ITS WORLD JOURNEY IN TIMISOARA

Futuro Textiles, an excellent exhibition, quite unique the world over, was inaugurated in Timisoara (564 km north-west of Bucharest). The event was organized for the first time outside France.

The above-mentioned event marked the opening of the new cultural season of the French Institute in Timisoara, but also Daniel Malbert beginning his term in office as manager of this institute. The Timisoara, Capital of Culture 2021 association regards it as a challenge for supporting this step taken by the Banat municipality.

4. OVER 150 SPECIALISTS ATTENDED IN BUCHAREST IATA AVIATION DAY EASTERN EUROPE

Romania's Transport Ministry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Romania's Tarom national air carrier held in Bucharest the 2013 IATA Aviation Day Eastern Europe, where more than 150 representatives from this field are attended to analyse the development of aviation in Eastern Europe.

This year's conference, themed 'Looking Beyond Challenges - The Future is INNOVATION,' focused on identifying key potential areas in Eastern Europe as innovation and standardisation are crucial components in the development of air transport. Also analysed at the event were difficulties related to the enlargement of the aviation sector in the region, in an attempt to provide additional help so that the industry may evolve toward a more sustainable direction.

5. NATIONAL HONEY FAIR: HONEY AND HONEY PRODUCTS IN BUCHAREST

The fair is one of the most important events devoted to honey consumers in Bucharest. Exhibitors, beekeepers and firms specialized in honey products will present this year’s production next to nutritional supplements, medicines, cosmetics.

Romania has been among countries awarded with medals for honey quality and purity at every Apimondia Congress. At the last edition, the 42nd, held in Buenos Aires in 2011, the Beekeeping Complex Veceslav Harnaj added another gold medal to the 70 medals and prizes won over 50 years of existence.

The Beekeepers’ Association of Romania was set up in 1958 and has 40 county branches and companies selling equipment and genetic material.

Arundel House, 4 Palace Green London W8 4QD UK Phone: 0044 (0)20 7937 9666 Fax: 0044 (0)20 7937 8069 e-mail: [email protected] web site: www.london.mae.ro