Latest News from Romania

Ponta: We are slowly going towards the VAT reduction in other food products

Prime Minister Victor Ponta in Timisoara (western Romania) on Thursday said that the Government wanted to expand the agri-food product range for which to reduce the value-added tax (VAT), the decision going to be made after the assessment in autumn on the effect of the VAT reduction for bread.

Leftist Alliance Leads Romania's EU Election Polls

European elections on 25 May will be marked by a high degree of absenteeism in Romania, as only 28 per cent of people say they intend to vote on Sunday, a poll released on Wednesday said.

Over 60 pct of Romanians say country protected by NATO member's status (survey)

60.2 percent of Romanians say the country is protected in the event of a conflict in the region by its NATO member's status, while 49.3 percent agree with an increase in the defence spending, shows an INSCOP pollsters survey made public on Thursday.

PM Ponta: Romania's growth rate makes French PM envious

Even the French PM envies Romania's growth rate, Prime Minister Victor Ponta told the representatives of the SNR Rulmenti bearing making company on the Western Industrial Zone of Sibiu (272 kilometers north-west of Bucharest) on Wednesday.

Highlights of the visit of the US Vice President Joe Biden to Bucharest

The Vice President of the United States has arrived in Bucharest on Tuesday, May 20, for a two-day visit. The American official has arrived in Romania together with his wife Jill Biden.

US Vice President Discusses Romanian Shale Gas, Defense Budget

Shale gas and military expenditures, alongside the Ukraine crisis, were the main issues in meetings of US Vice President Joe Biden with Romanian leaders.

"We discussed shale gas [with Vice President Biden]. It is quite clear that the US is encouraging such exploitation," AGERPRES agency quoted Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta as saying.

Bulgarian Household Electricity Bills Lowest in EU

Bulgarian households had the lowest electricity bills in the European Union in the second half of 2013, Eurostat data has revealed.

A family in Bulgaria pays EUR 8.8 per kWh of energy on the average, compared to EUR 20.1 for the EU as a whole.

Romania (EUR 12.8) and Hungary (EUR 13.3) rank second and third, according to the European statistical agency.

U.S. vice president warns Russia could suffer "greater cost"

BUCHAREST -- U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden has warned Russia that "undermining the May 25 election in Ukraine would bring greater costs."

Humanitarian aid arrives from Sweden

BELGRADE - Humanitarian aid including three tons of canned food, water, and clothes arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport from the Kingdom of Sweden for the flood-affected citizens in Serbia.

Corruption Hampers Bulgaria's Economic Growth – IMF

Economic growth in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary are hampered by corruption, according to Aasim Husain, Deputy Director in the European Department of the IMF.

Biden Reassures Romanians of US Backing

US Vice-President Joe Biden on Tuesday arrived in Romania to reassure leaders of America’s continuing commitment in the face of Russia’s growing military assertiveness.

“It’s an obligation for us to stay close to you so, in the name of the US President, I should say, you can count on us,” Biden said shortly after he arrived in Bucharest.

Countries expecting fewer tourists from Russia

Bulgaria and Montenegro are expecting a drop in Russian tourists this summer. Also in business news: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will invest 500 million euros in Cyprus.

The number of Russian tourists visiting the region this summer is expected to decline. [AFP]