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04. 03. 10. - 16:30

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04. 03. 10. - 16:30

Romania ready to join the Schengen area

Romanian Times

Romania is ready to join the Schengen area but must solve the problem of infrastructure, Interior Minister Vasile Blaga said today (Thurs).

Blaga said: "The report on the country's maritime borders shows that certain measures adopted by our country can be considered effective."

Blaga added that Romania had one of the most efficient maritime surveillance systems in Europe.

Romania hosted five evaluation committees last year as necessary steps towards accession to the Schengen area. EU experts assessed the country’s preparedness in police cooperation, personal-data protection and visas and maritime and aerial borders.

Another two assessments missions were expected in 2010, Blaga said.

Airports had to be certified by the Transport Ministry for extra Schengen area flights, Blaga added.

It would cost Romania 440 million Euros to join the Schengen area and secure its EU 2,070 kilometre long border.

Romania has a target date of 27 March 2011 for joining the Schengen area.

Almost half of Romanians live in poverty
Almost half of the Romanians (8.89 millions) are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, according to Eurostat data published today (Weds).

Police carry man off the snow and save his life
A man who had collapsed in freezing weather near a river, in Stoina, Gorj, southern Romania, was saved after policemen carried him for several kilometres.

New government with same eight former ministers proposed
The Romanian parliament will vote on the new government team, proposed by designated Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu, tomorrow (Thurs).

Forty-one dead in freezing weather
Another three persons have died due to low temperatures in the last 24 hours, the Romanian Health Ministry said today (Weds).

EC report on Justice is positive, minister says
Romanian Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu currently acting prime minister until the new government is voted in by the parliament, said today (Weds) that the European Commission's interim report on progress in justice is, overall, "positive".

Pink Martini concerts in Bucharest
American orchestra Pink Martini will give a concert in Bucharest on 26 May at the Palace Hall, part of the promotional tour for their latest album "A Retrospective", local organisers Events said today (Weds).

Romania's industrial output up
Romania's industrial output increased by 15.6 per cent in 2011, the National Statistics Institute (INS) said today (Weds).

Father tried for abusing four-year-old girl
A Romanian father was sent to trial for abusing his stepdaughter, aged only 4, prosecutors said today (Weds).

Pitch in best condition for Steaua-Twente match, authorities say
The pitch for the Europa League match Steaua Bucuresti - Twente Enschede will be in optimal condition, the Bucharest town hall promises, after criticism of the National Arena turf.

More Romanian tourists travel to Austria
The number of Romanian tourists to Austria rose last year, after two years of a decline, Austria's National Tourism Office in Romania announced today (Weds).