Romania and the EU

Latest business news about Romania and the European Union.

Romania to cut 600 postal jobs in accord with IMF: report — 12 February 2012, 18:17 CET

Romania's centre-right government has agreed to an IMF call to cut 600 jobs in the state-owned postal service before opening it up to private capital, the Mediafax news agency reported Sunday.

Interim Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in Romania — 08 February 2012, 17:30 CET

When they joined the EU on 1 January 2007, Romania and Bulgaria still had progress to make in the fields of judicial reform, corruption and organised crime. To smooth the entry of both countries and at the same time safeguard the workings of its policies and institutions, the EU decided to establish a special "cooperation and verification mechanism" to help them address these outstanding shortcomings. In December 2006, the Commission set criteria ("benchmarks") for assessing progress made on these issues (consult the reports). The decision to continue assessing Bulgaria and Romania shows the EU's commitment to see the two countries develop the effective administrative and judicial systems they need to deliver on the obligations of membership as well as enjoying the benefits. Progress on judicial reform, corruption and organized crime will allow Bulgarians and Romanians to enjoy their full rights as EU citizens.

EU criticism douses Romania, Bulgaria Schengen hopes — 08 February 2012, 17:29 CET

Romanian and Bulgarian hopes of rapidly joining the Schengen visa-free travel zone were dealt a new blow Wednesday as an EU report urged them to take more action against corruption and organised crime.

Romanian prime minister resigns to 'defuse' strain: official — 06 February 2012, 13:29 CET

Romania's centre-right Prime Minister Emil Boc resigned on Monday amid public anger at austerity measures and despite praise from the IMF and the EU for piloting drastic economic reforms.

IMF, EU trim Romania's growth forecast — 05 February 2012, 20:54 CET

The International Monetary Fund and the European Union on Sunday said they had trimmed Romania's 2012 growth forecast to 1.5-2.0 per cent, due to international economic turbulence.

Romanian leader slams Dutch 'abuse' over Schengen — 02 February 2012, 12:28 CET

Romania's President Traian Basescu on Thursday accused the Netherlands of abuse over its blocking of Romania and Bulgaria's accession to the visa-free Schengen area.

Ex-Romania PM handed two-year sentence for graft — 02 February 2012, 21:53 CET

Former Romanian prime minister Adrian Nastase was sentenced Monday by the Supreme Court to a two-year jail term for corruption at the end of a trial closely monitored by the European Union.

Romania minister told of sacking during EU talks — 23 January 2012, 22:52 CET

Romania's Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi, who learnt he had been sacked while attending EU talks in Brussels, on Monday said he "took note" of the decision by Prime Minister Emil Boc.

Romania president bitter at Schengen, labour restrictions — 19 January 2012, 16:58 CET

Romanian President Traian Baseescu on Thursday blasted the EU's veto of his country's accession to the visa-free Schengen area and labour market restrictions imposed by nine member states.

IMF, EU to conduct new assessment mission in Romania — 11 January 2012, 22:21 CET

The International Monetary Fund and the European Union will review the implementation of economic reforms in Romania during a new mission, from January 25 to February 6, the IMF said Wednesday.

Five years on Romania, Bulgaria cash in on EU membership — 29 December 2011, 11:07 CET

Five years after joining the European Union, Bulgaria and Romania are cashing in billions of euros in aid and their citizens can earn a living in the bloc's more fortunate members, even if obstacles persist.

Romanian court acquits ex-PM in graft case — 15 December 2011, 16:38 CET

Romania's supreme court acquitted former prime minister Adrian Nastase of corruption on Thursday after he was accused of bribing a top official to thwart an investigation into his wife.

Romanian graft cases face excessive delays: experts — 09 December 2011, 15:27 CET

High-level graft cases in Romania have been plagued by excessive delays in court, a foot-dragging that might help the accused to escape justice, experts said Friday on world anti-corruption day.

Poland, Romania say opposed to multi-speed Europe — 08 December 2011, 16:12 CET

Poland and Romania said Thursday they were opposed to a multi-speed Europe, insisting the European Union had 27 members not just the 17 in the eurozone, as a crunch summit in Brussels loomed.

Romania government adopts budget based on 1.9% deficit — 25 November 2011, 22:15 CET

The Romanian government on Friday adopted a draft 2012 budget based on a 1.9 per cent deficit and 2.1 per cent growth, prime minister Emil Boc said.

Finland agrees to two-track Schengen for Bulgaria, Romania — 15 November 2011, 13:19 CET

Finland has dropped its opposition to membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Europe's passport-free Schengen area, allowing them to join in two stages, Finnish EU Affairs Minister Alexander Stubb said Tuesday.

Commission report on transitional arrangements regarding free movement of workers from Bulgaria and Romania — 14 November 2011, 15:48 CET

A new report published today by the European Commission highlights the overall positive role that mobile workers from Bulgaria and Romania (EU-2) have played in receiving countries' economies.

WWF sounds warning on caviar — 14 November 2011, 13:21 CET

Poaching and illegal trade in sturgeon caviar persist in Romania and Bulgaria, posing a serious risk to the highly threatened species of fish, the environmental group WWF warned on Monday.

'Don't laugh', we still aim to join euro: Romanian president — 10 November 2011, 22:44 CET

Joking to journalists to please not laugh, President Traian Basescu reiterated after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday that Romania aimed to join the eurozone in 2015.

IMF halves Romania's growth forecast — 07 November 2011, 18:28 CET

The International Monetary Fund on Monday said it had halved its 2012 growth forecast for Romania to around 2.0 percent, due to international economic turbulence.

Romania sets 2012 budget deficit at 1.9% — 03 November 2011, 21:40 CET

Romania expects to post a 2012 budget deficit of 1.9 percent but it could be much higher, with growth coming in at 1.7-2.7 percent, President Traian Basescu said Thursday.

Romania set to join eurozone in 2015: official — 31 October 2011, 19:07 CET

Romania is to make every effort to join the eurozone in 2015 but admits that its entry will depend on developments in the single currency bloc currently struggling through a debt crisis, the government said Monday.

Romania president wants 'cautious' 2012 budget — 30 October 2011, 20:07 CET

Romania president Traian Basescu on Sunday called on the centre-right government to adopt a "cautious" 2012 draft budget, in line with a lower-than-expected growth forecast.

Health professionals in Romania warn against doctors' exodus — 27 October 2011, 21:39 CET

The Romanian College of Physicians (CMR) warned Thursday against the local doctors' exodus to Western Europe, with almost 2,000 departures in 2011.

Romania must trim its 2012 deficit target: president — 24 October 2011, 22:18 CET

Romania's President Traian Basescu said Monday the government should bring the 2012 deficit target under 3.0 percent in order to avoid fast-growing credit costs due to the eurozone debt crisis.