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25. 01. 12. - 11:00

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25. 01. 12. - 11:00

New Foreign Affairs minister wants Romania in Schengen

Romanian Times

Romania's new Foreign Affairs Minister Cristian Diaconescu said this morning (Weds), taking over the new position, that he was seeking for Romania to join the Schengen area this year.

Cristian Diaconescu, from UNPR, said: "I'll continue with the diplomatic moves necessary to close the chapter of Romania joining the Schengen zone in 2012."

Cristian Diaconescu is vice president of the Senate and president of UNPR party.

Diaconescu was formerly a foreign affairs minister from 2008 to 1 October 2009, for the Social Democratic Party (PSD). He quit PSD in February 2010. The new centre-left party UNPR was set up soon after. It is currently a member of the ruling coalition.

The PM said on Monday, during the extraordinary parliamentary meeting, that he dismissed Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Baconschi from his position.

Boc said he took the decision based on the declarations Baconschi had made concerning the Romanian protesters who had been in the streets for over ten days now.

Romania and Bulgaria, who joined the European Union in 2007, were supposed to join the border-free Schengen area in March this year. Their accession was blocked twice by several European countries, which said they feared organised criminality and corruption, with regards to the fact the two countries would thus guard the Eastern European Union border. Finland, The Netherlands, Germany and France opposed the two countries' accession to Schengen. In September, the decision on the matter was postponed indefinitely.

Health minister considers taxing fast food and beer
The new Health Minister Vasile Cepoi said today (Thurs) that the next Health Care Law might include a new tax on fast food and beer, local press informs.

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Government to introduce ‘Robin Hood’ tax on oil companies
Minister of Economy Daniel Chitoiu announced today (Weds) that the government is working on a piece of legislation on introducing a supplementary tax on the exceptional incomes of the oil companies that should be passed by the year end and implemented as of 2013.

Education Minister stepps down amid plagiarism accusations
Ioan Mang, the education minister appointed only two weeks ago together with the new cabinet of Social Liberal Union (USL) leader Victor Ponta, resigned Tuesday (yesterday) night.

Brancusi’s son doesn’t want his father remains to be moved to Romania
John Moore, the only child of sculpture Constantin Brancusi, reacted to Romania’s intention to repatriate the remains of his father, saying his last will was to be buried in Paris at Montparnasse, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Weds).

Romania back in recession, growth to resume in H2
Romania officially entered recession today, following the figures published by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) that show a decrease of the GDP for two consecutive quarters (Q).

Police head sacked over underground boss runaway row
The head of the Romanian Police Liviu Popa (picture) was sacked today (Tues) by Home Affairs Minister Ioan Rus, the ministry informs.

UK Ambassador Harris says new Cabinet took right decisions so far
The UK Ambassaodr in Romania, Martin Harris says Victor Ponta’s new government got off on the right foot by making clear that its economic policy will continue to be framed within the programme agreed between Romania and the EU, World Bank, and IMF.

Carmen Sylvas x-rayed hand to be auctioned
A x-ray of the left hand of Romanian Queen Elisabeta will be auctioned in Bucharest by Artmark auction house, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Tue).