Agerpres

AGERPRES special correspondent Ionut Mares reports: European Commissioner for Justice Vera Jourova reiterated on Wednesday in the European Parliament plenary sitting in Strasbourg the European Commission's call that Romania's Parliament open the debate on the modifications to the Justice laws in line with the recommendations of Brussels and obtain consensus.

The Romanian Crown Custodian, Margareta, expressed appreciation for "the work and history" of the AGERPRES National News Agency during a visit she paid together with Prince Radu on Tuesday at AGERPRES headquarters.

Former President of Romania Emil Constantinescu and AGERPRES Director General Alexandru Giboi were among the people welcomed by the Romanian Crown Custodian, Margareta, and Prince Radu, at the Elisabeta Palace this week, the Royal House informs.

A bill proposed by Romania's ruling Social Democrat Party to change the way the national public news agency, Agerpres, operates, could leave it vulnerable to political pressure, media freedom activists warned. 

The Culture and Media Committee of the Romanian Senate on Wednesday passed the bill submitted by Culture Minister Lucian Romascanu and four other Social Democrat MPs.

The news agencies AGERPRES (Romania) and Yonhap (South Korea) renewed on Tuesday their cooperation agreement, in the context of the 25-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

To be informed, one should select several media and separate the relevant items from the background noise, AGERPRES National Press Agency General Director Alexandru Giboi pointed out in a debate with pupils and students on Wednesday.

Photo credit: (c) Liviu SOVA / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

The Ambassador of the State of Palestine in Bucharest, Fuad Kokaly, paid a visit to the headquarters of AGERPRES Romanian National News Agency, where he discussed with AGERPRES Director General Alexandru Giboi about 'an extended' cooperation agreement between the national news agencies of Romania and Palestine, informs a press release of the Palestinian Embassy on Wednesday.

Romania will cut value added tax (VAT) for all food products to 9% from 24% starting in June, six months earlier than planned, as budget revenue is higher than expected, Prime Minister Victor Ponta has announced.

He also said the cut in VAT rate to 9% will also apply to non-alcoholic beverages and catering services.

The members of the Romanian Senate's Committee for culture and media have talked on Tuesday with the Director General of the AGERPRES National News Agency, Alexandru Giboi about the necessity of altering the legislation regarding the copyright so that the journalist stuff released by AGERPRES be protected.

The Bureau of the Black Sea Association of National News Agencies strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Paris against the editorial staff of Charlie Hebdo.

Photo credit (c) ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS / REUTERS