Embassy of in the of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ______

No. 15/ 7th Year

POLITICS

1. Elected President attended the National Day festivities on December 1 in 2. National Day parade: Over 2,800 military, 280 combat vehicles marched in Constitution Square 3. PM Ponta: We'll have 15 priority directions of action in the government programme 4. AFP: Romanian PM reshuffles cabinet after poll defeat 5. ForMin Aurescu: NATO must continue to keep an eye on the Black Sea region 6. Experts of the European Commission for the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism met Romanian MPs

ECONOMICS

1. INSCOP: Creating jobs and respect for laws, indicated by Romanians as main priorities of President 2. Exports hit 44 billion euros at the end of October 3. Agreement in principle with IMF for 1.83pct of GDP budget deficit 4. Romania, Vice-President on behalf of the Eastern European Group of the Board of UNIDO 5. Romania records an economic growth of 1.8% in Q3 6. Industry, agriculture, communications have greatest contribution to GDP growth 7. Romania becomes co-owner of the International Space Station

SOCIAL

1. Royal House organized a symbolic trip by the on December 1 2. Princess Margareta and Prince Radu welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham 3. Unemployment rate in October 2014 estimated at 6.7 per cent 4. The level of poverty of elders in Romania was reduced to 35% in 2013 (study) 5. OECD: the life expectancy in the EU increased to over 79; in Romania is under 75 6. Survey: Presidency, Army, Church and the EU lead charts on people's trust in public institutions

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CULTURE

1. Over 250 companies from Romania and abroad at the Gift Fair – Christmas Shopping in Romexpo 2. Savarsin Castle, where the Royal Family spends the Winter Holidays 3. Maramures wooden churches, in the famous UNESCO World Heritage List 4. With record-high 33,000 tickets sold, star violinist Andre Rieu announces fourth concert in Bucharest

POLITIC

1. Elected President Klaus Iohannis attended the National Day festivities on December 1 in Alba Iulia

Romanian President-elect Klaus Iohannis attended the National Day festivities on December 1 in Alba Iulia (north-west of Bucharest).

Klaus Iohannis arrived in Alba Iulia at around 11 a.m. to lay wreaths at the busts of King Ferdinand and Queen Maria, who accomplished the Great Union of December 1, 1918 that is celebrated on Monday. The president-elect attended a Te Deum officiated at the Reunification Cathedral and the military parade and afterwards he went to Alba Iulia City Hall, where he gave an interview to the foreign press.

The official festivities began at 9:30 a.m. on Monday in Alba Iulia by wreath-laying at the statues of Ionel Bratianu and Iuliu Maniu, followed at 10:15 by flower-laying at the busts of King Ferdinand and Queen Maria and at Michael the Brave's statue at 10:30 a.m. The Te Deum is scheduled to begin at noon and the military parade will start at 12:30.

2. National Day parade: Over 2,800 military, 280 combat vehicles marche in Constitution Square

Over 2,800 military and 280 combat vehicles with the National Defence Ministry (MApN), the Interior Affairs Ministry (MAI), the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) and the Dignitaries' Protection Service (SPP) have marched on 1st December in the Constitution Square, central Bucharest, in a parade dedicated to the National Day of Romania.

The commander of this year's parade, Brigadier General Tomita-Catalin Tomescu, deputy of the Instruction and Doctrine Department Chief with the General Staff, opened the parade. The first unit

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which entered the roundabout was the Red Scorpions 26 Infantry Battalion, followed by an international detachment formed of military of the French Army, the Republic of , Poland, and US marines. The parade continued with the march of the Calugareni 2 Infantry Battalion, the 495 Battalion of which the intervention forces are, including divers and paratroopers, the Military Intelligence Brigade, the Military Police representatives, the Navy and the Airforce representatives. The Airforce planes could not take part in the parade due to the bad weather. A regiment of women with the Romanian Army, the students of the Brasov-based Airforce Academy, those of the Mircea cel Batran Naval Academy, those of the Nicolae Balcescu Land Forces Academy and the pupils Detachment with the Dimitrie Cantemir National Military College of Breaza, marched in. Further on, in front of the almost 10,000 people attending the parade, have marched the detachment of the Alexandru Ioan Cuza Police Academy, the fighters detachment of the Vlad Tepes Special Intervention Brigade with the Romanian Gendarmerie and the detachments of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU). The parade continued in a first with the march of the students of the Vasile Lascar Police Agents School from Campina, followed by the SRI detachment, with its Anti-terror Brigade, the ones who make the security check on the airports, the honour guard of the Gendarmerie, while the Mihai Viteazul guard regiment executed a 'drill team' exercise.

After this moment, the military technique of the motorized 1 Brigade followed, with URO VAMTAC armoured vehicles, Piranha III armoured personnel carrier, "Jderul" 84 M combat machines, "Zimbrul" APCs, TR 85 M1 "Bizonul" tanks, LAROM multiple rocket launcher, the GEPARD anti-aircraft artillery system, the anti-aircraft complex towed with 2 35 mm OERLIKON cannons, HUMVEEs, the Chevrolet Tahoe land vehicles, the Harris/Chevrolet radio stations and the surface-to-air rockets detachment with HAWK ground-based.

The naval forces have marched with RIB ships, FULGERUL boats, Mobile installations for Launching the Rockets, armoured radio stations with frequency hopping on URO VAMTAC, and the Communications and Informatics Command have marched with ATBTU PANHARD and Dacia Duster vehicles, the ANCHOR satellite auto-station which ensures voice and data connections among any spots, Falcon radio auto-stations, the video-conferences' communication auto-station, the CRBN auto- special vehicles and the NATO deployable communication Module.

Further on, the parade was filled with the march of the MAI structures, with 10 BMW motorcycles of the Traffic Police, a Porsche automobile for the road surveillance and control of the same Traffic Police, the SIAS special intervention vehicles, the Border Police with its ATVs, Dacia Duster, IVECO patrol trucks, thermo-vision filming special trucks on Land Rover Discovery vehicles, a Harpoon boat, RR boats towed by Dacia Duster, special trucks for dogs deployment mounted on Mitsubishi L200, followed by the Gendarmerie technics, with transport special trucks of the troops and those with water 3

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cannons, special trucks with mobile communication systems and 4x4 vehicles with the Mountain Gendarmerie.

The parade continued with the IGSU forces, meaning the water cannons special trucks, the emergency paramedics vehicle, the Emergency Mobile Resuscitation and Extrication Service (SMURD) vehicles, the HAZMAT special trucks for decontamination and intervention in disasters, the extrication special vehicles, pneumatic boats with divers, special trucks for extinguishing fires with water and foam and an auto-ladder for intervention at 70 metres high.

Technics with the SRI endowment was present, too, with special vehicles of anti-terror intervention, the SPP marching units, the cavalry of the Mounted Gendarmerie, the Bucharest Local Police Mounted patrol, the parade being closed with the Honour Guard of the Mihai Viteazul 30 Regiment Guard and the Military Music Regiment.

At the parade organised by the MApN, together with the MAI, SRI and SPP, were present the incumbent president Traian Basescu and the Prime Minister , among the participants attending the ceremonies on the occasion of the National Day were also the National Defence minister, Mircea Dusa, the Interior Affairs minister, Gabriel Oprea and the Speaker of the Deputies' Chamber, Valeriu Zgonea.

3. PM Ponta: We'll have 15 priority directions of action in the government programme

Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced that the government programme for 2015 - 2016 will have 15 priority directions of actions, a special accent being to be put on the fight against tax evasion, the European funds, the centralisation and development of the administrative capacities, the tax system. At the end of a ruling coalition's meeting, the Government head announced a priority actions' agenda which continues to match the government programme the former USL (Liberal Social Union) has run in 2012 parliamentary elections and for which it got majority.

"We have structured these priority actions of the 2015 — 2016 agenda on two kinds of actions: government and public policies viewing in particular and being able to become concrete by decisions made within Romanian's Parliament. The priority government actions for 2015 — 2016 within the parliamentary majority and the Government will have 15 such directions of action and fields in which we wish to continue the good things we have started 2 1/2 years ago of joint governance, but also to highlight and be able to assess very clearly concrete results," Ponta said Gov't approved next year's state budget bill. No additional taxes applied

The Government approved on Friday the 2015 state budget bill and the social security budget bill. "The three bills to be referred to Parliament are the bill approving the caps on certain indicators set forth in the 2015 fiscal and budgetary framework and in the fiscal & budgetary strategy, the state 4

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budget bill for 2015, and the bill on the state social security budget," Premier Victor Ponta told the Government's extraordinary meeting convened for the passage of the said items of legislation. In the opinion of the Prime Minister, the adoption of the budget bill is "the most important and most difficult moment in a government's activity".

Next year's budget blueprint provides for no additional taxes and rates, and the lower amounts pinpointed for certain budget authorities are to a certain extent the result of the 5 percent cut in the social security contribution that applies for public institutions as well, so that payroll expenses will be lower, and are also due to the fact that the amounts paid under enforcement orders are no longer included in next year's budget, Premier Victor Ponta said on Friday at the of Government.

"I want to state this once again, that the budget bill provides for no additional taxes and rates, but just for what is already in effect as regards economic and social measures. I am referring here to the cut in the social security contribution, the tax break for the reinvested profit (...) and we also passed the emergency ordinance that defines the all-inclusive tourism packages that will be granted a reduced VAT rate," Ponta told the Government's extraordinary meeting on Friday. The Premier also insisted that the Government members should reinforce the idea that investments next year are in no way bound to decrease.

"I would ask all our colleagues in the Government to clearly reinforce this idea — because I saw there is criticism to that and it's important that we talk with figures — on how things really stand about investments. There are 44 billion lei provided for that, nine billion lei more than in 2014, so the idea that investments will decrease is incorrect. (...) I don't think the subject needs any further comments," Ponta said.

4. AFP: Romanian PM reshuffles cabinet after poll defeat

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta reshuffled his leftist government a month after his surprise defeat in presidential elections. Ponta told reporters that the new line-up, which is expected to easily pass in a parliamentary vote aims to "keep Romania on the path of economic growth and continue the reforms launched in the past two years."

The ruling Social Democrats and their coalition partners were the main winners in the reshuffle. Several little-known lawmakers from the government parties were given ministries previously held by technocrats.

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The economy ministry went to Social Democratic lawmaker Mihai Tudose, who has no experience in the area. Budget Minister Darius Valcov's remit was expanded to include finance after the two ministries were merged.

There were no changes in the foreign or defence ministries.

Ponta said he hoped for better cooperation with centre-right president-elect Klaus Iohannis, who takes office on December 21, than with his predecessor, Traian Basescu. Relations were often stormy between Ponta and the conservative Basescu.

Ponta was seen as the frontrunner in last month's election but was beaten in the runoff by Iohannis, an ethnic German who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. The reshuffle came days after officials from the International Monetary Fund and the - - suppliers of a 2009 bailout package -- visited Bucharest to discuss the government's 2015 draft budget. The budget is based on a forecast of 2.5 percent growth and a deficit of 1.83 percent of GDP, up from a previous deficit estimate of 1.4 per cent. The lenders gave the budget the provisional thumbs- up but opposed Ponta's bid to increase defence spending by 0.3 percent of GDP.

5. ForMin Aurescu: NATO must continue to keep an eye on the Black Sea region

Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu had a meeting with the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, on which occasion he opined that the North-Atlantic Alliance must continue to keep an eye on the Black Sea region, so that security is maintained in this area, reads a release of MAE.

This [keeping an eye - editor's note] should also be reflected by new measures of strengthening the Allied security, including through the carrying out of joint exercises, exchange of information and assessments of the situation.

The meeting took place in the context of a reunion of foreign ministers from Allied states and provided opportunity for an assessment of the progress recorded so far in the implementation by the heads of state and government of the decisions adopted at the NATO Summit recently held in UK, with an emphasis on Romania's priority objectives, specified MAE.

More to that, the Romanian diplomacy chief assured the Secretary General of NATO of the full support the Bucharest authorities are ready to give him, as well as of Romania's firm commitment in continuing to be 'a trustful ally, with important contributions brought to the signification, objectives, policies and missions of the Alliance.'

Moreover, Aurescu underlined that Romanian gives a special importance to the obtaining in 2015 of 6

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concrete and visible results regarding the implementation of the Alliance's Action Plan to increase its reaction level, including through allowing the presence of the Allies within its territory. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reconfirmed Romania's availability to host such elements of command and control of NATO on its national territory.

Further into the meeting, they also tackled the Afghanistan issue, context in which Bogdan Aurescu reconfirmed Romania's commitment to the Alliance's mission in this country and briefed Stoltenberg about the 'substantial' contribution of Bucharest to a new training, consultancy and assistance mission - "Resolute Support" - to begin on January 1, 2015.

Moreover, Aurescu informed Jens Stoltenberg about the current stage of operationalisation of the Deveselu Military Base, everything going there according to plan.

'The Secretary General of NATO appreciated the constant and substantial role of Romania within NATO, showing that Romania consolidated its profile as a solid Ally, trustworthy, with approaches that contribute to the security of the Alliance as a whole. He especially appreciated the substantial contribution Romania continues to bring in Afghanistan, underlying that the country plays a substantial role in the success of this new missions. He encouraged at the same time the continuation of an active participation of Romania in the objectives and policies of the Alliance,' showed MAE. Romania to provide consular protection for Canadian citizens on Syrian territory

Romania and Canada on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding under which Romania will provide consular services to the Canadian state and citizens on Syrian territory, reads a press release this Wednesday. According to the abovementioned source, under the agreement signed at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, Romania commits to provide, through its Embassy in Damascus — Syria, consular protection to Canadian citizens as long as they are on this state's territory, as well as to the interests of the Canadian state.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hails the conclusion of the agreement that reflects the current stage of excellence reached by bilateral relations between Romania and Canada, grounded on trust, common values and the principles of a solid partnership. Similar agreements were also previously concluded with , the Republic of Moldova and Australia, countries that also don't have active diplomatic offices in Syria," Romania's Foreign Ministry specified.

6. Experts of the European Commission for the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism met Romanian MPs

Members of the two legal committees in the Deputies Chamber and the Senate had a meeting with the experts of the European Commission [EC] for the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) to discuss about justice, conclusions after the talks resulting 'positive,' according to the chair of the Legal 7

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Committee of the Senate, Catalin Bococ [of the National Liberal Party - PNL, in the Opposition].

According to his own statement, he expects that the report on justice to be issued by the EC in January should be favourable for Romania.

'Beyond any political opinion, we are discussing here about the Justice in Romania, about the progresses that we all have to agree were made and I'm glad that all the political parties sent their representatives to the meeting and we were thus able to leave aside our preconceived biases. Things should be explained in such a manner so that people would be able to make a correct opinion on them and the report in January may be one very well documented. I hope and I believe that all the data we see today point to a favourable report,' Boboc said in the Senate on Tuesday.

The head of the Legal Committee of the Senate also specified that the CVM experts were mainly interested in certain mechanisms characteristic for the functioning of the justice system in Romania - the implementation of the new Codes, the enforcement of the Constitutional Court's decision, but also in the manner in which consultations on the drafting of some normative acts were held.

He also added that CVM experts also showed interest in the procedures concerned with the dignitaries who are subjects of criminal investigations.

'This was another topic that we approached. They wanted to know the mechanisms. Of course that the criminal liability is personal, differing from case to case. Parliament, as dictated by the Constitution - and we will have to discuss this again when we will be revising the Constitution, provided that this will still happen - asks the Prosecutor's Office to initiate the criminal proceedings. However, as a member of the Legal Committee, when you ask for the initiation of criminal proceedings against someone, of course that you cannot treat situation as if it were a toy. I believe that all that has happened in the recent time clearly showed the path we committed ourselves to,' said Catalin Boboc.

In his turn, jurist Ioan Chelaru, Senate Deputy Speaker, showed how during the meeting they also highlighted Romania's efforts in what concerns the implementation of the new Codes and the 'clarifying' of the legislation that refers to incompatibility.

Collaboration protocol between DNA and the World Bank for cases of fraud and corruption The National Direction Anticorruption (DNA) signed on Monday a collaboration protocol with the Integrity Vicepresidency of the World Bank for mutual supply of relevant information regarding the identification, foundation and prevention of cases of fraud and corruption.

The two institutions commit themselves to cooperate and consult one another on issues of mutual interest, especially as regards the mutual supply of relevant information and collaboration activities for the identification, foundation and prevention of cases of fraud and corruption. 8

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At the same time, there will be designated contact points for the facilitation of efficient transmission and confidential of information and there will be organised periodical meetings for the identification of priority domains for mutual cooperation.

The protocol was signed at the headquarters of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on the occasion of the third meeting of the group of The International Corruption Hunters Alliance, set up in 2010 by the World Bank and dedicated to the fight against corruption. Integrity Vicepresidency (INT) is an independent unit of the World Bank whose objectives are the investigation of fraud and corruption allegations relating to World Bank financed projects and sanction implementation.

ECONOMICS

1. INSCOP: Creating jobs and respect for laws, indicated by Romanians as main priorities of President

Romanians believe that the President must have as main priorities creating jobs and guaranteeing respect for the laws and the Constitution, an INSCOP poll remitted shows.

Furthermore, most respondents believe that the President-elect, Klaus Iohannis, will be a different head of state than Traian Basescu, that he should collaborate with the Government led by Victor Ponta and that the President and Prime Minister being from different political camps is a positive aspect. Furthermore, the majority of those interviewed believe that the elections united Romanians and are pleased with the results of the presidential elections.

As such, according to INSCOP, Romanians believe that the priorities of the President are, in the following order: creating jobs — 34.1 percent (compared to 32 percent in September), guaranteeing respect for laws and the Constitution — 31.3 percent (33.6 percent in September), fighting corruption — 18 percent (18.9 percent three months ago), lead Romania's foreign policy and national security policy — 10.2 percent (9.2 percent in September), support social protection measures — 4.8 percent (5.6 percent at the previous poll), and 1.5 percent (0.6 percent in September) don't know or won't answer.

"We may observe that, even though the measurement in September is made before the elections and that in December after the elections, there are no significant changes in the list of priorities, so they were not tied to the public's expectations regarding one candidate or another, but were rather the profile that Romanians attribute to the post of President", says Darie Cristea, INSCOP project coordinator. 9

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The poll reveals that the main concerns of Romanians are: diminishing incomes — 23 percent (16 percent — in May, 20.2 percent in February), health status — 20.1 percent (17 percent — May, 15.4 — February), rising prices — 19 percent (24.5 percent — May, 25.5 — February), job loss — 14.5 percent (22.7 percent — May, 23.8 percent — February), the possibility of conflict in the region — 9.1 percent (9.9 percent — May, 4.1 percent — February), natural disasters — 3.6 percent (2.6 percent — May, 3.3 — February), other problems — 2.1 percent (3.7 — May, 3.6 — February), damaging of environment — 1.2 percent (2.4 percent — May, 2.7 percent — February). To this question 0.7 percent (1.1 percent — May, 1.4 percent — February) responded that they don't know or won't answer. Furthermore, 74.2 percent of responders believe that the presidential elections have united Romanians, while 25.8 percent claim the elections have divided them.

The research also shows that 71.7 percent of Romanians state that they are happy with the results of the presidential elections (percentage of total answers), while 28.3 percent claim the opposite. Furthermore, 56.9 of those responding believe that it is better for the President and Prime Minister to be from different political camps, in order to control each other, while 43.1 percent support the opposite.

The poll reveals that 93.4 percent of Romanians see corruption as a phenomena affecting absolutely all political parties, while 6.6 percent believe corruption to affect one single party. The "INSCOP Barometer — Truth about Romania" was carried out by INSCOP Research at the request of Adevarul daily between November 27 — December 2, 2014. The sample size was of 1,076 persons and is representative for the population of Romania aged 18 and over. The maximum admitted error is plus/minus 3 percent, at a confidence rating of 95 percent. The method used was of that of the opinion poll based on a questionnaire filled in by interview operators at the homes of respondents. The gross minimum salary up to 975 RON as of January 1st 2015 The Government in its Wednesday meeting approved an increase of the gross minimum salary to 975 RON as of January 1st 2015 and to 1,050 RON with July 1st 2015.

"The Gov't through a Decision has endorsed a raise of the gross minimum salary to 975 RON starting with January 1 2015 and 1,050 RON, respectively, from July 1 2015. Some 1,471,356 public employees and 982,726 employees from the private sector will benefit from this measure," the Gov't spokesperson, Corneliu Calota said.

2. Exports hit 44 billion euros at the end of October

Romania's exports hit 44 billion euros at the end of October this year, up 6.8 percent expressed in euro compared to the same period of the year before, while imports amounted to 48.9 billion euros, 6.2 percent higher compared to the period January - October 2013.

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According to data recently released by the National Statistics Institute (INS), the FOB-CIF trade deficit for the period January - October 2014 was about 21.55 billion lei (4.85 billion euros), up by 267.2 million lei (35.9 million euros) from the similar period last year.

According to INS, Jan - Oct FOB exports amounted to 195.7 billion lei (44 billion euros) and CIF imports stood at 217.2 billion lei (48.86 billion euros). Compared to the period January - October 2013, exports increased by 7.6 percent expressed in lei (6.8 percent in euro) and imports advanced 6.9 percent expressed in lei (6.2 percent in euro).

Intra-Community (Intra-EU28) trade in the said period amounted to 138.8 billion lei (31.24 billion euros) for outbound shipments and 163.2 billion lei (36.74 billion euros) for incoming goods, accounting for 71 percent of total exports and 75.2 percent of total imports, respectively.

Extra-Community (Extra-EU28) exchanges of goods over the ten months totaled 56.8 billion lei (12.8 billion euros) for exports and 53.9 billion lei (12.1 billion) for imports, representing 29 percent of total exports and 24.8 percent of total imports, respectively.

According to preliminary estimates by the National Statistics Institute, FOB exports amounted to 21.8 billion lei (4.93 billion euros) and CIF imports amounted to 24.3 billion lei (5.5 billion euros). Compared to October 2013, exports increased 4 percent expressed in lei (4.9 percent in euro) and imports advanced 2.1 percent expressed in lei (2.9 percent expressed in euro).

Compared to September 2014, October's exports rose 0.6 percent and imports were 2.1 percent higher expressed both in lei and in euro.

The trade balance deficit (FOB / CIF) this October was 2.5 billion lei (568.6 million euros), by 352.4 million lei (75.9 million euros) less than in October 2013.

3. Agreement in principle with IMF for 1.83pct of GDP budget deficit

Prime Minister Victor Ponta said that there is an agreement in principle with the delegations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Commission (EC) and the World Bank (WB), according to which the budget deficit targeted for next year will account for 1.83 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"A deficit, which on the one hand answers the desire to show budget strictness (...) and doesn't put too big pressure on expenses. (...) We shall have a 238 billion RON budget — 255 billion RON revenues and 13 billion RON deficit. (...) An economic growth of 2.5 per cent of the GDP was taken into account and accepted," Ponta said at the Victoria Palace. (1 euro trades for cca 4.43 RON) 11

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The Prime Minister added that "for the European co-financed projects (...) additional sums are provisioned — 19 billion RON for European projects from the state budget, plus 9 billion RON for the local authorities."

He also reaffirmed that "the budget cannot be built based on any cuts or additional taxes on 2015." "The 16 pct flat tax stays put, the tax on special constructions diminishes from 1.5 pct. to 1 pct (...) all the measures in force, be they of economic stimulation or of social justice, are included in the state budget — the reinvested profit's tax exemption, the pensions' indexing and the in payment minimum guaranteed income's growth, the indexing by 16 pct. of the people with disabilities' allowances (...). Everything that has been endorsed is included in the budget on 2015," the Prime Minister said.

4. Romania, Vice-President on behalf of the Eastern European Group of the Board of UNIDO

Romania took over as Vice-President on behalf of the Eastern European Group of the Board of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); the decision was reached at the 42nd session of the Industrial Development Board, held in Vienna over Nov. 25 - 27, the Ministry of Economy informed.

The Romanian delegation was headed by Maricel Popa, Secretary of State with the Ministry of Economy, who welcomed the development of global partnerships designed to explore ways to implement the re-industrialization process based on competitiveness and innovation, and capable of generating growth and job creation.

In connection with this, Romania stressed the importance of the social and economic approach in a new production model based on the development of joint projects that use renewable energy for regional development. Romania supports the recent UNIDO initiative for the development of pilot projects in various countries, with the possibility of translating the agreed model into partnerships with the Republic of Moldova.

Romania also proposed to host in 2015 the 3rd Regional Conference on Industrial Parks.

5. Romania records an economic growth of 1.8% in Q3

Romania recorded an economic growth of 1.8% in Q3 of this year compared to the previous quarter, and the first nine months the GDP growth saw a 2.8% growth in unadjusted terms and a 3.1% seasonally adjusted growth, compared to the same period of 2013, according to the provisional data (1) released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

Following the revision of the unadjusted terms in line with the 2010 European System of Accounts 12

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(ESA) and the seasonally adjusted terms, the GDP decreased by 0.4% in Q2 2014 from Q1 2014, and it rose by 0.7% compared to Q4 2013.

The most important contributions to the GDP growth in the period January 1 to September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, came from industry (+1.3%), with a 30.3% share in the GDP formation and whose business volume increased by 4.2%, and the information and communications sector (+ 0.7%), accounting for 5.2% in the GDP formation and whose business volume went up by 15.3%.

The reduction in construction activity, by 3.1%, had a negative impact on the GDP trend, its contribution to the GDP growth having been minus 0.2%. Financial brokerage and insurance had also a negative contribution to the GDP growth (minus 0.1%), due to a decreasing activity volume, by 2.8% respectively.

6. Industry, agriculture, communications have greatest contribution to GDP growth

The industry, agriculture and communications have made the greatest contribution to the growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) both in the third quarter and in nine months, the National Institute for Statistics president Tudorel Andrei told a news conference.

'The first characteristic of the economy in the first quarter relates the industry, accounting for more than 30 percent of GDP. The very good thing is that it has maintained in the last quarters as well. The industry, both in the third quarter and in the nine months has the greatest contribution to the GDP growth, namely nearly half the GDP over this period. Likewise agriculture, after having had a negative contribution in the last half-year, has a positive contribution of 0.2 percent at this moment', Andrei explained.

According to the Institute chief, the real estate transaction sector maintained its activity, while the information technology and communications contributed 25 percent of GDP. 'The information and communications sector holds 5 percent of GDP, but it has a significant contribution to the growth recorded in this period, namely 25 percent. There are two sectors having had a negative influence on the GDP dynamic, both at the level of the quarter-year and in the nine months: construction and financial brokerage... In nine months, export dropped by 8.9 percent as compared to the same period and the imports dropped by 7.8 percent. In this sense, the deficit has narrowed', he underscored.

The Romanian authorities expect the national economy to grow 2.8 percent this year, even though the GDP increase anticipated when drafting the 2014 budget is of 2.2 percent. The Romanian economy expanded 3.5 percent in 2013, one of the highest growth rates in Europe.

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7. Romania becomes co-owner of the International Space Station

Romania has joined European partners in two programmes of the European Space Agency (ESA) of strategic importance - The International Space Station (ISS) and the development of the Ariane 6 rocket - said Minister-delegate for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Development Mihnea Costoiu, in a press release.

The decision was taken by the Ministerial Council of the European Space Agency (ESA) on Wednesday held in , reads the source.

"Through our country's involvement, we offer to the Romanian space industry the opportunity to join the race for the development of contracts for components for the European launchers, as well as development opportunities for the future. The accepting of Romania in this programme, together with only 11 other Member States, proves that our country already has competitive industrial capabilities", said Mihnea Costoiu, present at the event, according to the press release.

During the council, the representatives of the 20 ESA member states, among them Romania, have decided upon the action plans regarding the development of the new European rockets Vega C and Ariane 6.

Another important decision regarding Romania is its involvement, together with other European states, in financing the International Space Station. Through the entry into the ESA program dedicated to the Space Station, Romania becomes co-owner of the Station, together with other European states, as well as international partners (USA, Canada, Russia and Japan).

"Romania's involvement in these programmes proves that our country's potential in research and innovation is starting to produce concrete results and that investments in this realm are legitimate and justified. Today, Romania, a member state of the ESA, is the 12th European country and the 16th country in the world to own a percentage of the International Space Station, which is both a reason for pride, but also for trust in the future of the Romanian space industry", said the Minister.

Romania's delegation to the ESA Ministerial Council was completed by State Secretary of the Ministry of National Education, Tudor Prisecaru, and the Chairman of the Romanian Space Agency (ROSA), Marius-Ioan Piso.

The member states of the ESA, meeting at a ministerial level in Luxembourg, have reached a "historical agreement" regarding the building of a new rocket, Ariane 6, that would become functional starting with 2020, Spanish news agency EFE reports, quoting the ESA announcement.

Europe has convened on a global budget of 8 billion euro over 10 years, for launch rockets. Half of this 14

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sum is destined for the Ariane 6 rocket and also comprises the construction of a cosmodrome in Kourou, in the French Guyana, AFP reports. The purpose of this ambitious project is to keep the pace with the growing competition in the realm of launch rockets.

SOCIAL

1. Royal House organized a symbolic trip by the royal train on December 1

Princess Margareta and Prince Radu, accompanied by Princess Maria and Prince Nicolae, went on a symbolic trip by the royal train on December 1, Romania's National Day, to pay homage to the sovereigns of the Greater Romania, King Ferdinand and Queen Maria of Romania, the Royal House reports in a press release. At the same time, Peles Castle will host on Saturday an annual ceremony to honour the diplomatic corps.

According to the schedule of the events unveiled on Friday at , the royal train left Baneasa Station en route to Sinaia on Saturday at 10:00 am. Also invited to join in the trip are Archduchess Maria Magdalena of Austria, the daughter of Princess Ileana, and his husband, Baron Hanns-Ulrich von Holzhausen.

During the trip, Princess Margareta and Prince Radu entertain members of the diplomatic corps, public life figures as well as elderly and children who were helped under projects conducted by the Princess Foundation.

On Saturday, at 17:00hrs, Princess Margareta and Prince Radu represented King Mihai I at the annual ceremony honouring the diplomatic corps. King Mihai delivered his first address to the diplomatic corps accredited in Romania in December 1940.

Attending the ceremony were Princess Maria, Prince Nicolae and the apostolic nuncio.

A message from King Mihai I was read out by Princess Margareta and Prince Radu in English, French, German, Spanish, Arabic and Czech. The event was held in the Hall of Honour of Peles Castle.

After the ceremony, the diplomatic corps was invited to a diplomatic dinner, a tradition of the Romanian Royal House since the 20th century. The brass band of the Henri Coanda Air Force Academy staged a concert.

2. Princess Margareta and Prince Radu welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace

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Princess Margareta, the elder daughter of ex-sovereign of Romania Michael I and her husband Prince Radu were welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, King Michael's Press Office announced in a release.

The meeting at Buckingham Palace was an invitation to tea at 5 p.m., the release added. Princess Margareta and Prince Radu paid an official visit to London on Dec. 8-10; they were accompanied by Margareta's nephew Prince Nicholas.

The three Romanian Royal House members were the guests of honour on Monday of the Annual Banquet in the City of London organised by Guild of Freemen of the City of London, one of the oldest, most representative and most respected organisations of London municipality, the release announced. During the official visit to London, the Romanian royals had meetings with representatives of the economic and diplomatic circles as well as with civil society figures. This is the 15th visit abroad paid by the this year, the king's press office stressed.

3. Unemployment rate in October 2014 estimated at 6.7 per cent

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in October 2014 was estimated at 6.7 per cent, at the same level as in the previous month (revised), and down by 0.4 percentage points compared to the level recorded in October 2013, according to the data released on Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

The number of the unemployed (aged 15-74) estimated for October this year is 620,000 people, down from the previous month (623,000 people), and also from the same month a year earlier (653,000 people).

By gender, the unemployment rate for men exceeds by one percentage point that for women (the respective values being 7.1 per cent in the case of men and 6.1 per cent in the case of women).

For adults (people 25-74), the unemployment rate was estimated at 5.4 per cent for October 2014 (5.7 per cent for men and 4.9 per cent for women).

The number of jobless people aged 25-74 represents 74.5 per cent of the total number of the unemployed estimated for October 2014.

4. The level of poverty of elders in Romania was reduced to 35% in 2013 (study)

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The level of poverty of senior citizens (over 65) in Romania was reduced from 65% in 2007 to 35% in 2013 but it is almost the double of the EU average, stated Victoria Stoiciu, the representative of the Friedrich Ebert Romania Foundation when presenting the programme ‘ Romania gets older – challenges and solutions’.

‘Romania has one of the lowest state pensions in the EU and one of the lowest rate of replacement. In the latest years, we recorded a series of positive public policies such as the implementation of the minimum guaranteed pension of 352 lei, pension which was offered to 482,200 people in Q1 of 2014. The average hourly gain of people over 50 is 2.26 euro, against 1.77euro per hour as the national average. According to the data of 2013, a youth of 30 got 1.70 euro per hour’ said Victoria Stoiciu. According to the census of 2011, the share of people over 65 in the Romanian population is 16.1%. An Eurostat projection shows that in 2050 the rate between active population and old population will reach over 50%. In the present conditions, the ageing rhythm of the Romanian population will grow at the same time as birth rate lowers and longevity increases.

The issue of lack of home assistance, the lack of places in the homes for old people as well as the lack of specialised personnel in the state centres, the high prices for pensioners with diseases who would like to live in such a centre but in private system, are one some of the aspects presented in the study made by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

5. OECD: the life expectancy in the EU increased to over 79; in Romania is under 75

The life expectancy increased significantly since the 90’s in the European Union at over 79 but there are disparities between countries, an annual report regarding the health in Europe published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), relates AFP. On average, in the 28 member states of the EU, life expectancy at birth was of 79.2 in 2012 with 5.1 years more than in 1990.

The increase is explained mainly by the significant reduction of mortality due to cardiovascular diseases, especially to people between 50 and 65, OECD explained.

Spain (which has life expectancy of 82.5), Italy (82.4) and France (82.1) are European countries with the highest life expectancy. The countries in and the Baltic ones are at the bottom of the ranking: life expectancy is under 75 in Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia or , the report says. However, in this region, some countries have recorded progress, as in the case of Estonia where life expectancy has increased by seven years since 1990 and the (6.6).In other cases there was a little improvement :in Lithuania and Bulgaria, the life expectancy increased by 3 years between 1992 and 2012.

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Life expectancy for women is superior to that of males in the EU ( 82.2 in 2012 for women, against 76.1 for males) even if the difference between the sexes as regards the life expectancy was slightly reduced, from 7.2 in 1990 to 6.1 in 2012.

Cardiovascular diseases (among which stroke and heart attack) are the main cause for mortality in Europe: they represent 40% of the decease causes in 2011 followed by cancer (24% of the deceases). The level of mortality due to cancer was stable or increased in the Baltic countries and several countries in Central and Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Macedonia).

6. Survey: Presidency, Army, Church and the EU lead charts on people's trust in public institutions

The Presidency takes the top spot in the charts showing trust in political institutions, the Army leads the charts of executive institutions, the social and private institutions chart is led by the Church, while the European Union enjoys most trust in the realm of international institutions, according to a poll conducted by INSCOP Research on the orders of daily newspaper Adevarul.

The poll indicates the fact that the presidential elections had a strong impact on the trust placed by Romanians in institutions, a large part of them suffering significant evolutions or involutions when compared to the measurements taken in October.

The trust figures for December 2014 indicate the fact that in the political institutions category, the Presidency takes the top spot with 43.9 percent high and very high trust, compared to 17.8 percent recorded in October 2014.

Following, in the category, are Town Halls — 37.9 percent (42.7 percent in October 2014), the Constitutional Court — 36.4 percent (33.5 percent in October), County Councils — 26 percent (29.7 percent in October), Government — 25.5 percent (27 percent in October), Parliament — 19.7 percent (16.8 percent in October), and political parties — 12 percent (10.9 percent in October). The fact that the Presidency is the institution that benefits from such a powerful increase is absolutely normal given the trust investment made by the public in the winner of the elections, who was at the first presence both as a candidate to the highest position in the state, and as president, INSCOP claims in its interpretation.

The Army leads the hierarchy of trust in executive institutions with 76.1 percent (69.2 percent in October).

Following, in the charts, are the Gendarmerie — with 65.3 percent high and very high trust (60.3 percent in October), the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) — 55.8 percent (48.3 percent in October), the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) — 52.6 (48.2 percent in October), the Police — 18

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51.4 percent (47 percent in October), the National Bank of Romania — 51.3 percent (49.6 percent in October), the Foreign Intelligence Service — 46.8 percent (45.9 percent in October) and the National Integrity Agency (ANI) — 39.2 percent, compared to 37 percent in October 2014.

"All the institutions in the list have recorded increases since the previous measurement. The changes are a consequence of public perception due to the fact that recently the judiciary was very active — the most significant increases are related to the institutions with attributes in one way or another to the realm of anti-corruption or tangent to the realm: DNA, SRI, the Police, and ANI. The Army and Gendarmerie also benefit from significant increases in trust. In the case of the Army we may note an absolute record, the first breaking of the 70 percent barrier and with a considerable margin at 76.1 percent high and very high trust", INSCOP says in its interpretation of the results.

The Church dominates the charts of public trust in social or private institutions in the month of December 2014 with 60.6 percent high and very high trust, compared to 62.4 percent in October. The following spots are taken up by universities — 43.8 percent (40.3 percent in October), press — 32.5 percent (37.4 percent in October), civil society organizations — 28.6 percent (27.4 percent in October), companies — 21.8 percent (20 percent in October), trade unions — 18.7 percent (22.4 percent in October) and banks — 17 percent, compared to 18.7 percent in October.

In what regards international institutions, the top spot in the trust ratings is taken by the European Union, with 56.6 (48.8 percent in October).

Following it are NATO — 54.6 percent (51.7 percent in October), the UN — 51.6 percent (49.2 percent in October), the European Commission — 50.8 percent (45.2 percent in October), the European Parliament — 50.8 percent (45.1 percent in October), the World Bank — 39.8 percent (36.1 percent in October), and the IMF with 30 percent, compared to 28.7 percent in October.

The INSCOP analysis shows that the significant change, in relation to the charts of October, comes in the form of the EU's moving from 3rd to 1st in the hierarchy, with a record increase of eight percent, and also notes the significant increases in the trust ratings of the European Commission and of the European Parliament.

The "INSCOP Barometer — Truth about Romania" was carried out by INSCOP Research at the request of Adevarul daily between November 27 — December 2, 2014. The sample size was of 1,076 persons and is representative for the population of Romania aged 18 and over. The maximum admitted error is plus/minus 3 percent, at a confidence rating of 95 percent. The method used was of that of the opinion poll based on a questionnaire filled in by interview operators at the homes of respondents

CULTURE

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1. Over 250 companies from Romania and abroad at the Gift Fair – Bucharest Christmas Shopping in Romexpo

The Romanians have starting with 1 December the biggest gift fair in the country Bucharest Christmas Shopping which is organised at Romexpo until 21 December.

Over 250 companies in Romania, Italy, Kenya, the UK, Poland, the Czech Republic, will exhibit products specific for the period of winter holidays on a surface of 11.000 square metres. Hosted in the Central Hall as well as on exterior platforms, the fair is more than an event dedicted to shopping. The fair combines acquisition of goods and fun, as numerous opportunities for entertainment are offered to the visitors every day. Concerts, dancing and theatre moments, competitions and creation workshops will be at the disposal of the inhabitants of Bucharest for a period of three weeks.

The first edition of Bucharest Christmas shopping is organised by Romexpo and LP Development in partnership with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Romania. Visiting hours will be from 1 December to 18 December from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m and in the period of 19 to 21 December between 12::00 and 2:00 a.m. Entrance is free of charge.

2. Savarsin Castle, where the Royal Family spends the Winter Holidays

The rural town of Savarsin, located 87 kilometers from the city of Arad and almost the same distance from the city of Deva on National Highway 7, lies at the foot of Metaliferi Mountains, where they join the Mures riverside.

A medium-sized community of 3,290 locals according to the last census, Savarsin is nevertheless famous thanks to the Castle belonging to the Romanian Royal House. It lies near the entry to the rural town when coming from Deva and is located in the middle of a wonderful dendrology park.

"For Savarsin locals, it is a special feeling that they are village fellows, if one may say so, with King Michael I and with the other members of the Royal House", said rural town mayor Ioan Vodicean, who proudly calls himself 'The King's Mayor'.

He explained that the first record of the name of Zawasyn dates back to 1479, in a chancellery transcription of a royal notary. After the end of the Ottoman rule (1699), a salt office was set up in the area and after 1718, the year when the region of Banat was annexed to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the community that will be later named Savarsin was bestowed the rank of a market town (oppidum), thanks to the economic development and the surge in the number of locals.

Vodicean explained that in mid-18th century, at the center of the estate on which the current Royal Castle lies, there was a building raised in western baroque style (dating from 1680), that belonged to 20

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the local lord named Edelspacher.

The rural town gets the name of Soborszin in 1760 (from the Hungarian words soo - salt, bor - wine, szin - barn).

After having been set on fire in November 1784 by the peasants in the uprise led by Horia, Closca and Crisan, and needed being restored from the foundations, the castle had various owners, till 1858 when it became the possession of Leopold Nadasdy, the one who re-built it in its present form in 1860.

It was Leopold Nadasdy as well who built a clever system of underground networks for the collection of the underground waters and springs and brought a specialist to rearrange the park, which was finalised in 1876; the estate then covered around 500 hectares, most of it being forests.

In 1941, following an exchange of properties, the Castle becomes the property of Mocioni - Starcea family, who prepared the Castle for "Crown weekends"; in 1943, the Castle became the property of King Michael I, who was the at that time.

After the communist-era nationalization, Savarsin Castle successively was a hospital of internal diseases, a tuberculosis sanatorium and nervous disorders sanatorium and in 1967 communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu decided to turn it into a Guest House - a residence for heads of state, allotting more than 50 million lei for capital repair. Nevertheless, in spite of the huge spending and investments into the Castle, Ceausescu visited it only twice - in 1969 and 1979.

After the 1989 Revolution, Savarsin Castle together with the surrounding park covering a total 16 hectares was turned to the Public Company for the Administration of the State Protocol Patrimony, which did everything it could to maintain it.

In the ensuing years, the Castle became one of the most interesting tourist attractions of Arad county. Those willing to spend a night in the Ceausescu's bedroom could do so, since the Castle offered excellent accommodation in seven studios and three suites; festive dinners could also be organized.

Since 2001, after Savarsin Castle was returned to King Michael, the Castle can no longer be visited, but only admired by the tourists from a distance. Yet, on certain occasions, the Royal Estate gates open wide and the beautiful building can be seen from a closer distance.

"Traditionally, the Royal Family spends the Winter Holidays at Savarsin, on which occasion many groups come to sing carols to the former sovereign. The carol singers come from the nearby villages, but also from other communities in Arad county as well as from the counties of Alba, Hunedoara and Timis. Also, on Christmas Day, the family members use to take part in the religious service at the Orthodox church in Savarsin. Also at Christmas, the Royal Family members offer gifts to needy 21

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families in this rural town. Another occasion on which the Castle gates open is the awards festivity of Dorel Sibii National Literature Festival held at Savarsin every year", mayor Ioan Vodicean said.

3. Maramures wooden churches, in the famous UNESCO World Heritage List

Wooden churches, some of which are more than 400 years old, built by folk masters and spread along villages in Maramures, are among the most visited tourist landmarks, and eight of them are on the famous UNESCO World Heritage List, along with the Merry Cemetery of Sapanta.

'The wooden churches are genuine rural architecture monuments that define the identity or archaic Maramures, but I believe these wooden churches have become for years a brand of the county. The wooden churches catch the eyes of the travellers for its svelteness, supple shape and high wooden belfries that rise like arrows to the skies. All these small churches were built of wood hundreds of years ago and some of them are still used for church services on important feasts. They represent the connection between humans and the strong feeling of religiousness and their purpose on Earth. I am glad to see that these small wooden churches covered in timber have weathered the ages and continue to be a landmark in the changing countryside,' says Spokesman for the Christian Orthodox Bishopric of Maramures and Satmar Cristian Stefan.

The eight wooden churches are located in Surdesti, Rogoz, Poienile Izei, Plopis, Ieud Deal, Desesti, Budesti and Barsana.

* The Church of the Holy Paraskeva (Desesti) was built in 1770. Legend has it that in 1717 Tartars invaded the place and burned down the local church, with the site for the new church having been chosen by the altar stone, the only piece to have survived the disaster. Villagers allegedly tried to pick up the altar stone and erect it in various places to build the new church, but every time the stone would fall. After five unsuccessful attempts, the stone stood in the place where the church is nowadays.

Documents of the church and a text found in the narthex mention that the painting was done in 1780, in a simple, folklore manner. It is naive painting that depicts the connection between humans and God. Wooden architecture is part of the traditions of Maramures. Wood joints, architectural balance and harmony, an impression of simplicity and elegance betray an intimate knowledge of the art of wood. On closer inspection, the beams located in the upper part of the church sustaining the roof that continues as sculpted stairs provide a note of originality, setting it apart from the classical wooden churches. At the same time, the cemetery of the church has tens of Celtic stone crosses. The church is located on national road DN18 that connect together the cities of Baia Mare and Sighetu Marmatiei.

* The Church of Saint Nicholas (Budesti) was built in 1643. The church is built of thick wooden beams placed on a massive river stone base. On display inside the church are a chainmail shirt and headgear of outlaw Pintea Viteazul, about whom legend says bring them here himself. 22

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The interior painting was done in warm, bright colours that are well harmonised to impart a certain charm. The religious theme drawings were done most likely in 1762 by Alexandru Ponehalschi and are visible only on the western side of the walls all the way to the altar. Well preserved in the church are 17th century wooden and glass icons, and one of the most important ones depicts St. John the Baptist. The wooden church of Budesti is distinguished by four pinnacles at the base of the spire, quite a rare thing about the churches of Maramures.

* The Church of the Holy Archangels of Plopis, the birthplace of incumbent Christian Orthodox Bishop of Maramures and Satmar Iustinian Chira, was built by the locals in 1798- 1811 to replace an older church. A document found in the leg of the holy table, along with 49 coins, mentions that the church was built with support from every family of the village.

The church of Plopis is peculiar for its modest sizes: it is just 17 m long, 7 m broad and 47 m tall, which, according to historians with the Maramures County Museum of History and Archaeology, witness a real sense of proportions. The interior painting depicts scenes from the Apocalypse, covering the entire western wall of the narthex. The church has two distinguished architectural traits: a flat roof slightly lowered over the sanctuary and upper beams that do not protrude to the outside.

* The Church of the Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple (Barsana) was built in 1720 on a site known as Podurile Manastirii, the monastery's attics, and translated in 1806 to the Jbar Hill, where is its standing now. It is the only church on the UNESCO World heritage List to serve a monastery first and that a parish.

The interior painting meets the rigours of Baroque art and it is considered one of the most valuable iconographies of Maramures for its deep eschatological and moralising traits and an easy to follow narration. Legend has it that on the Jbar Hill of Barsana there was a cemetery for plagued people who would be hastily buried there to prevent the spread of the disease. The church was relocated there because people were convinced that the victims would sleep their eternal sleep peacefully only after a church service.

* The church of Ieud Deal is said to have been built in 1634, probably one of the oldest wooden churches in the land of Maramures. Its painting and iconostas are from the 18th centuries, observing traditional canons, and they are well preserved. Depicted on the walls of the narthex is the Last Judgement, in the shape of a fire of the Inferno engulfing all the damned people.

The church also has a valuable collection of 16th-17th century glass icons, most likely brought from the Nicula Monastery of Cluj County, carpets died in vegetal dyes, church flags and many printings bearing the signature of famous printer Coresi, including 'Intrebare crestina' ( Christian question) and 15th century 'Apostolul' (The Apostle). Some hundreds of years ago, 'Codicele de la Ieud' (The Ieud 23

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Codex) was found in the attic of the church, a highly valuable manuscripts that has church year 6900 printed on the first page that some say dates back to 1391, being considered one of the oldest written text in Romanian language using the Cyrillic alphabet. There are other researchers who argue the document should be two centuries younger.

* The Church of the Holy Archangels (Surdesti) was built in 1721 under the careful guidance of master Toma Macarie. The 72-m high church is considered one of Europe's tallest wooden structures. Built exclusively of oak wood, the church is remarkable for its double canopy and a portico with two rows of superposed arcades.

The interior paintings, some on canvass and others on wood, depict scenes from the Old Testament and the New Testament by the local painter Stefan.

* The Church of the Holy Paraskevi (Poienile Izei) is one of the most spectacular in terms of architectural features, with a sanctuary based on a square plan, just like in the early times of Christianity. Its paintings of 1794 approach common themes of traditional iconography. Conspicuous among them is a big-size Last Judgment painting and a comical painting of a Christian sleeping through the church service in a bed with the Devil playing the violin for him beside him.

* The Church of the Holy Archangels (Rogoz) was built in 1663 with support from the locals. It is characterised by a recessed heptagonal sanctuary, a polygonal narthex, a southern entrance, and a large asymmetrical roof. It is also distinctive for its profusion of decorative sculpture. The names of wealthy families that would provide alms on church holidays are inscribed on the walls. Another distinct feature is the head of the beams carved in the shape of a horse head, a common feature found at most of the village houses back then. The interior painting includes archaic Romanian mythology motifs, such as the Sun, the Moon and the Stars, which hundreds of years later would be found in other Maramures churches as well.

All the eight churches of Maramures County inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List are visited by thousands of Romanian and foreign tourists each year who want to learn about local history or admire painted scenes that reveal the understanding of Christianity in the countryside in very old times.

4. With record-high 33,000 tickets sold, star violinist Andre Rieu announces fourth concert in Bucharest

Famous Dutch violinist and orchestra leader Andre Rieu, dubbed the "King of Waltz", announced a fourth concert in Bucharest on June 11, after his previously scheduled three shows in Bucharest next year saw a record-high number of 33,000 tickets sold, a release informs."With 33,000 tickets sold in just 15 hours — the fastest selling Andre Rieu event ever — the violinist announces a fourth concert in Bucharest which will be held on Thursday, June 11," the cited document says. 24

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My dear friends from all over Romania, we greet you from the UK, where we are currently on tour. I learned some great news. I am so happy and eager to come to your wonderful country not just for one, but for several concerts. Only your joy and enthusiasm have made this possible! We received lots of requests and we are trying with all our heart to honor them and reward your trust. See you soon! Lots of love, Andre — the violinist wrote his fans in Romania.

In a recent interview with AGERPRES, he said the decision to come to play in Bucharest was spawned by the finding that Romanians account for a considerable share of his concert audiences. Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra will give four concerts in Bucharest's Constitution Square on June 11, 12, 13 and 14.

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