Latest News from Romania
Bulgaria-EU Trade Records 12.3 % Growth in January-April
Between January and April, Bulgarian exports to the EU increased by 12.3 % compared to the same period in 2014.
According to preliminary estimates of the National Statistical Institute (NSI), which were released on Thursday, exports in this period amounted to BGN 9.3 B.
Romania Seizes Assets of Petrotel Lukoil
Romania has impounded the assets of the Romanian-based Petrotel Lukoil refinery and to its majority owner, Dutch-based, Lukoil Europe BV, including its bank accounts in British and Dutch banks and premiums and shares in Petrotel Lukoil.
It is the first time that Romanian prosecutors have seized accounts held in foreign banks of companies operating in Romania.
Romania, Croatia Badly Governed, Index Shows
Romania and Croatia are two of the worst governed countries in Europe according to a new study by the Bertelsmann Stiftung's Sustainable Governance Indicators project.
The platform surveyed 41 European and OECD countries in six sectors: economic, social and environmental policies, quality of democracy, executive capacity and executive accountability.
Bulgaria Drops Six Positions in FIFA World Ranking
The Bulgarian men's national football team dropped six positions in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, which was released on Thursday.
At present, Bulgaria occupies the 68th place with 489 points, being behind the team of Norway and ahead of the United Arab Emirates.
Romania Doubles Pay For Top State Officials
Romania's government has doubled the salaries of a number of top officials, including the President and Prime Minister, saying senior officials need to be rewarded more adequately.
Romania to Allocate EUR 100 M to SME Initiative
Romania has decided to allocate EUR 100 M from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the SME Initiative to help the country's small businesses get better access to finance.
Romanian PM Ponta to Resume Official Duties after Surgery
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta will resume his activity in his capacity as prime minister from Thursday.
Ponta announced this in a written statement addressed to President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday, saying that he was returning to office after the causes preventing him from exercising his official duties have been removed.
Romania President Pledges Support for Moldova
"Fighting corruption, strengthening institutions and economic stability are the only way to success," Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday following talks with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti in the Romanian city of Suceava.
"Moldova has a great chance that we never had at the time of [EU] accession. This chance is called Romania," he added.
Greece 'Will Request Multi-Year Bailout' Prior to EU-28 Summit on Sunday
EU leaders are due to hold a full (EU-28) summit in another attempt to look for a viable solution on Greece.
This has been announced after a Eurozone summit on Tuesday evening where Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has already outlined plans of his country for a new aid program.
EU Grants EUR 1.9 M to Bulgaria for Flood Recovery
The European Parliament on Tuesday approved the allocation of EUR 1.9 M in flood relief under the European Union Solidarity Fund.
Bulgaria was affected last year by flash floods which claimed more than a dozen lives and left hundreds of houses damaged or destroyed.
Balkan Countries Bake in July Heat Wave
A heatwave entered Balkan countries from the west early this week and the next few days are expected to be the hottest so far this year.
In Romania, the authorities issued a warning that the country was entering a so-called "yellow" phase of heat alert, meaning temperatures above 30 degrees celsius and high levels of ultra-violet radiation.
Jens Stoltenberg: Tanks in Bulgaria are Deployed by US, not NATO
NATO would not do anything in Bulgaria unless the country specifically demands that. That was the statement made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Tuesday in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio.
The decision for the dislocation of heavy weaponry to Bulgaria has been made by the US and not by NATO.
Romania Mulls Forcing Parents to Vaccinate Children
Romania's Health Ministry is working on a draft project to ban unvaccinated children from attending nurseries, kindergartens or schools. Under the plan, parents could also be fined if they do not vaccinate their children.
Bulgaria 'Should Avail Itself of Developments in Greece'
Bulgaria should be ready to make use of the new situation in Greece, the co-chair of junior coalition partner Reformist Bloc (RB) said on Monday.
Romanian Premier Defends VAT Cut Decision
Ponta on Saturday lashed out against the opponents of what he called "Romania's economic independence" amid criticism over a new tax code envisages a reduction in value-added tax to 19 per cent from the current 24 per cent.
"The tax code has been approved by all political parties following a wide consultation with the business environment," Ponta said in a statement.