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1230 articole
FITS 2026/ Mungiu on social radicalisation: The next step is being at each other's throats
Film director Cristian Mungiu, two-time winner of the Palme d'Or award, warned on Thursday, at the Sibiu International Theatre Festival (FITS), that society is going through a period of radicalisation and violence, and the only solution is dialogue based on patience and wisdom. '
President Nicusor Dan decorates Lech Walesa at Gdansk ceremony, warns freedom is not to be taken for granted
Freedom is not to be taken for granted, President Nicusor Dan said on Thursday, after decorating former Polish President and Solidarity movement leader Lech Walesa. In a ceremony held at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk, Nicusor Dan awarded the former Polish head of state
Acting head of Romania's Consulate General in Saint Petersburg declared persona non grata
The acting head of the Romanian Consulate General in Saint Petersburg has been declared persona non grata, and the Russian side has decided to withdraw its consent for the establishment of the respective consular post, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursda
Chisinau hosts Postal Workers' March with 800-plus participants from Romania and Moldova
Chisinau hosted for the first time the Postal Workers' March - now in its 46th edition, which saw the participation of more than 500 postal workers from Romania and 300 from the Republic of Moldova. The June 24 - 26 event was organised by the Romanian Post Company, through the Ro
President Dan: The next Eastern Flank Summit will take place in Romania
The next Eastern Flank Summit will take place in Romania, President Nicusor Dan said on Thursday at a joint news conference with the leaders who participated in the meeting of this format in Gdansk. 'We agreed that the next meeting in this format will take place in Romania at the
Iasi: Works by Pablo Picasso will be exhibited at the Palace of Culture between July 3-12
Visitors to the Palace of Culture in Iasi will have the opportunity to admire painted and glazed ceramics, as well as chromolithographs made by Pablo Picasso, as part of an exhibition organized, between July 3 and 12, by the 'Moldova' National Museum Complex in Iasi, in partnersh
Cristian Mungiu - La Rochelle Festival guest of honour; nine features and all short films retrospective
Film director Cristian Mungiu is the guest of honour at the 54th edition of the La Rochelle International Film Festival in France, taking place from 26 June to 4 July. According to a press release the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) sent to AGERPRES on Thursday, Cristian Mungiu
Romania joins as founding member of New Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (former NATO official)
Former NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana has announced that the project for a Multilateral Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), which he initiated during his time in NATO's senior leadership, is becoming a reality, with Romania joining as a founding member. 'I
AAFBR President Jakubowicz: Every month of political uncertainty means higher borrowing costs, delayed investment
Romania is paying for every month of political uncertainty through higher borrowing costs, delayed investment and postponed decisions, while facing the EU's highest inflation, one of the bloc's largest budget deficits and public debt nearing 60% of GDP, Romanian Association of Financial and Banking Analysts (AAFBR) President Flavius Valentin Jakubowicz said on Thursday. Speaking at the AAFBR Annual Conference 2026, he warned that the economic model that brought Romania to its current situation - built on consumption, financed through deficits and fuelled by imports - has reached its limits and must be changed. 'The model that has brought Romania this far - built on consumption, financed through deficits and fuelled by imports - has reached its limit. This is not a personal opinion; it is what the data tell us. The real question today is not whether we change the model, but whether we change it by choice or through a crisis. Average consumption per Romanian has reached almost 94% of the European average, a significant achievement. But our productivity stands at only 78%. In other words, we consume almost like Western Europe while producing like an emerging economy. The difference is financed through borrowing,' Jakubowicz said. He noted that Romania's economy is hovering between stagnation and recession, with inflation of around 11%, one of the EU's largest budget deficits and public debt approaching 60% of GDP. 'Three figures cannot be ignored. Economic growth was just 0.7% in 2025, and this year we are, at best, on the borderline between stagnation and recession. We have the highest inflation in the European Union - around 11% - and one of the largest deficits, at 9.3% of GDP in 2024. With major efforts, we hope to bring it down to around 6% this year. Public debt is approaching 60% of GDP, the only Maastricht criterion Romania still meets, but without adjustment it could rise to 67% or 68%. The European Commission has already warned that risks to the sustainability of Romania's public debt are high over the medium term, with government debt potentially climbing to around 90% of GDP by 2036,' he said. Jakubowicz added that Europe itself is slowing, while Romania is borrowing at a faster pace and at higher costs than its economy is growing, with its sovereign rating remaining just one notch above non-investment grade. 'Europe itself is slowing. The euro area is expected to grow by only 0.8% this year. The favourable conditions Romania benefited from over the past two decades - cheap money and expanding markets - have disappeared precisely when we need them most. Economic growth of 2.5%-3% a year has reached its limits. Instead of generating lasting prosperity, it has translated into inflation and external deficits. We are borrowing more, and at higher costs, than our economy is growing,' he said. The AAFBR president outlined five priorities for reshaping Romania's economic model, beginning with productivity. 'We are not here simply to list problems. We are here to discuss solutions. The shift must be from consumption to productivity, from deficits to investment and from low value-added activities to higher value-added ones. The first priority is productivity, not wages. The objective is not a low-cost economy, but a competitive one. Wages should grow alongside productivity, not ahead of it, which means investing in technology, technical education and workforce training, not just nominal pay rises,' he said. The second priority is reindustrialisation, arguing that Romania has lost more industrial capacity over the past decade than any other EU member state. 'Convergence with Europe will not be won through statistics but in factories and exports. We have lost more industry in ten years than any other country in the European Union. This decline can be reversed only with predictable and competitive energy for industry,' Jakubowicz said. He also called for prioritising investment over consumption and for a leaner, more efficient state administration, noting that Romania still has access to historic amounts of EU funding but risks losing nearly EUR 9 billion if it fails to absorb the money by the August 31 deadline. Finally, he stressed that fiscal credibility and predictability are indispensable. 'Every month of political uncertainty costs us through higher interest rates, delayed investment and postponed decisions. Reforms must survive electoral cycles, and OECD accession should become the anchor that finally lowers Romania's cost of capital. We have everything we need - a market, talented people, a strategic position and unprecedented European funds. What we lack is the collective decision to use these resources together. We do not lack solutions; we lack the courage and patience to see them through. Reconfiguring this economic model cannot be postponed until a better moment because that moment will not come on its own,' Jakubowicz concluded. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oaba Tilica; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob) Display count: 1
DefMin Miruta announces contract signing for first SHORAD-VSHORAD systems
Defence Minister Radu Miruta announced on Thursday that the contract for the acquisition of the first Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) - Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) systems, intended to protect against aerial threats, was signed, with a value exceeding 2 billion euro. 'After years in which the Romanian Army's procurement programmes advanced too slowly, we have launched an accelerated modernisation and equipment programme that is delivering concrete results day by day. Contracts that have been awaited for years are now entering the implementation phase and the capabilities Romanian soldiers need in the field are beginning to become reality. A SHORAD-VSHORAD system is a short-range air defence 'shield' that detects and destroys aerial threats before they reach the protected target. In practice, this system is the final layer of protection that stops an aerial threat before it can cause damage. It is necessary because today's threats no longer come only from aircraft or helicopters, but also from drones, munitions, small missiles or low-flying aircraft - targets that are difficult for larger systems to intercept as they are designed for greater distances,' Radu Miruta wrote on his Facebook page. He added that while long-range air defence is the first line of defence that attempts to stop threats at a distance, SHORAD-VSHORAD serves as the 'protective fence' around the objective, the layer that directly safeguards what matters most. 'The framework agreement provides for the signing of three subsequent contracts through which a total of six integrated SHORAD-VSHORAD systems will be acquired, along with a training and education system, a simulation system for testing and evaluating VSHORAD operators, six SHORAD systems and six VSHORAD systems, including ammunition, training and logistical support. The total value of the acquisition amounts to 10.33 billion lei excluding VAT, equivalent to approximately 2.038 billion euro excluding VAT,' the Defence Minister said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Mihai Stoica; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu) Display count: 149
Romfilatelia issues postage stamp 'Be Smart and Say NO to Drugs!'
The postage stamp issue 'Be Smart and Say NO to Drugs!' ('Fii inteligent si spune NU drogurilor!'), consisting of a postage stamp and a first-day cover, will be released on Friday by the Romanian Philatelic Administration (Romfilatelia) and the Romanian Post. According to a Romfilatelia press release sent to AGERPRES on Thursday, the issue is dedicated to the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The stamp, with a face value of 9 lei, features original drawings by artist Dan Perjovschi in a restrained graphic style intended to warn of the dangers of human degradation caused by drug use. The artwork is accompanied by the slogan of the Romanian Police General Inspectorate's campaign: 'Drug trafficking destroys lives!' The message highlights the devastating effects of drug trafficking on individuals, families and communities, serving as a powerful warning and a means of promoting preventive awareness among the general public. The word 'DRUG' featured on the stamp is graphically represented in a fragmented and unstable manner, suggesting the disorder and destructive effects associated with substance abuse. The letter 'O' is replaced by a circular symbol containing a shape resembling a syringe or a broken object, signifying the danger and degradation linked to drugs. Each year, on June 26, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in an effort to raise public awareness of the destructive power of drugs and of society's responsibility to safeguard the health and well-being of young people. The issue will be available from Friday through Romfilatelia's network of stores in Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi and Timisoara, as well as through its online store. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Petronius Craiu; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia) Display count: 1
Budget deficit reduction to 1.75% - breath of fresh air ahead of talks with Moody's and Fitch(consultant)
The reduction of the budget deficit to 1.75% after the first five months of 2026 represents a breath of fresh air for Romania ahead of July discussions with Moody's and Fitch Ratings, according to economic consultant Adrian Negrescu. 'It is a genuine performance that has a strong chance of helping to secure Romania's sovereign credit rating at a time when political noise is creating a strong perception of instability regarding the country's situation. It is an excellent argument which, together with the relative stability of the exchange rate, represents the only positive news in a sea of problems. The fact that, according to preliminary data presented by [Finance Minister] Alexandru Nazare, public investment increased from 40.57 billion lei to 44.73 billion lei is also a positive signal for the economy,' Adrian Negrescu explained on Thursday in a post published on Facebook. However, he argues that the reduction in the budget deficit is not enough. 'However, it is not enough, in other words, we should not get carried away. Seventy-one per cent of investments were financed with European funds and this demonstrates, if any further proof were needed, just how dependent we are on European financing, on the money coming from Brussels, which is criticised by part of the political class. The five-month budget execution data also represent only a snapshot in time. From the second half of the year, we will see whether politicians are capable of maintaining this positive trend ensured by the Ministry of Finance and whether they will take the measures necessary to meet the 6.2% deficit target,' the analyst said. According to him, 'politicians who announce tax cuts and higher incomes for the population are selling nothing more than illusions' because the budgetary situation remains extremely serious. In essence, more than 90% of the taxes paid by individuals and businesses are spent on social expenditure such as pensions and salaries, while the remaining 10% is used to pay interest on loans. 'Under these circumstances, the state is condemned to borrow heavily, the equivalent of 1 billion euro per week, in order to have enough money from one month to the next to pay all its bills. That is why I believe that whoever comes to power at Victoria Palace [Government House] will face an extremely difficult and very clear mission: increasing state revenues in order to reduce the financial pressure we are currently under,' Negrescu added. He says that only by reducing tax evasion and broadening the tax base 'will we be able to emerge from this alarming situation which, as the European Commission has also estimated, could lead us in the coming years into a financial situation typical of a bankrupt country.' Negrescu pointed out that 'if we continue borrowing relentlessly without reducing expenditure and lowering the state's bills, public debt will reach 80-90% of GDP and we will no longer be able to repay it.' There are already difficulties, the analyst says, in paying the more than 10 billion euro in interest alone on loans contracted so far. 'In other words, regardless of the election-driven promises made by politicians, if we do not move away from the paradigm of living on borrowed money, life will become more difficult for all of us in the future - higher taxes, lower investment and fewer jobs. We need predictability, economically sound measures and professionals,' the economic consultant concluded. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Cristian Anghelache; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu) Display count: 149
Number of people who prefer holidays in floating hotels in the Danube Delta is increasing
The number of people choosing holidays on a floating hotel in the Danube Delta is increasing this year compared with last year, despite the war triggered by Russia in Ukraine, according to some tourism operators. The owner of one of the companies that has been offering stays in t
Romania's public debt will increase to 63.4% of GDP in 2027,will reach about 90% in 2036 (convergence report)
Romania's public debt is estimated at 61.6% of GDP in 2026, will rise to 63.4% of GDP in 2027 and is projected to reach around 90% of GDP in 2036, according to the Convergence Report for 2026, published on Wednesday by the European Commission. 'The public debt-to-GDP ratio increased from 54.8% in 2024 to 59.3% in 2025 and is estimated to reach 61.6% in 2026 and 63.4% in 2027, amid a high primary deficit and rising interest payments. Risks to public debt sustainability appear elevated in the medium term, with debt projected to grow rapidly, to around 90% of GDP in 2036,' the report says. In light of the assessment of legal compatibility and the fulfilment of the convergence criteria, as well as taking into account other relevant factors, the Commission announced on Wednesday that it does not consider that Romania meets the conditions for adopting the euro. The report points out a series of incompatibilities related to the independence of the central bank or its integration into the Eurosystem. Also, according to the European Commission, Romania does not meet the criterion on price stability. The average inflation rate in Romania in the 12 months to May 2026 was 8.4%, well above the reference value of 2.7%. 'It is projected to decline in the second half of 2026, but will remain significantly above the reference value until the end of the year. It is also projected to continue to decline in 2027, but will remain above the reference value until the end of that year,' the report said. The Commission's Spring 2026 Economic Forecast projects that the average annual inflation rate will increase slightly, to 7.0%, in 2026 and then decline to 3.7% in 2027. The European Commission report also indicates that Romania does not meet the criterion on public finances, the country being the subject of a Council decision on the existence of an excessive deficit. The general government deficit improved from 9.3% of GDP in 2024 to 7.9% in 2025, but remained well above the treaty reference value of 3% of GDP. 'This improvement was due to more efficient tax collection and the adoption of two major fiscal consolidation packages in 2025, which together had an estimated impact of around 3.7 percentage points of GDP through revenue increases and expenditure reductions. The Commission's 2026 spring economic forecast projects the general government deficit to decline to 6.2% of GDP in 2026, reflecting the full-year effect of the fiscal adjustment measures adopted in 2025, as well as additional revenues raised in 2026 through VAT and excise duty increases, dividend tax increases, property tax changes and broadening of the healthcare contribution base, together with tighter control of current expenditure. For 2027, the deficit is forecast at 5.8% of GDP,' the document states. On 8 July 2025, the Council revised the fiscal adjustment path under the excessive deficit procedure (EDP), establishing that Romania must keep nominal net expenditure growth below 2.8% in 2025, 2.6% in 2026, 4.6% in 2027, 4.4% in 2028, 4.2% in 2029 and 4.0% in 2030. The deadline for correcting the deficit is 2030, when the revised recommendation of July 2025 foresees a deficit of 2.8% of GDP. Regarding Romania's fiscal framework, the cited source emphasizes that significant deficiencies persist related to the appointment of Fiscal Council members and the management of public investments. The European Commission also notes in the report that Romania does not meet the exchange rate criterion, as the Romanian leu does not participate in the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II). Romania employs a 'crawl-like' exchange rate regime, which allows for central bank interventions in the foreign exchange market. Exchange rate stability has been used by the National Bank of Romania (BNR) as a key mechanism to ensure financial stability and anchor inflation expectations. Also, another observation is related to the fact that Romania does not meet the criterion on the convergence of long-term interest rates. The average long-term interest rate in the 12 months to May 2026 was 6.7%, well above the reference value of 5.1%. The Commission also looked at other relevant factors, including balance of payments developments, market integration and the institutional environment. Romania's external balance (current account and capital account combined) improved slightly from -6.7% of GDP in 2024 to -6.0% in 2025, mainly due to better absorption of EU funds. The current account deficit, however, remained high, at 7.9% of GDP in 2025, the report highlights. He also points out that indicators regarding the institutional environment show that Romania has weaker performances than many eurozone member states, especially in areas such as corruption control. As for the banking sector, the document states that it is well integrated into the euro area financial system, in particular due to the high level of foreign ownership of banks. However, financing through capital markets is less developed, as reflected in the small size of private equity and bond markets.AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Nicoleta Gherasi; EN - writing by: Catalin Cristian Trandafir) Display count: 288
US Ambassador Darryl Nirenberg: Romanians know the value of freedom and the costs of communism
Romanians know the value of freedom and the costs of communism, the US Ambassador to Romania, Darryl Nirenberg declared on Wednesday at the reception organized for the US Independence Day. 'In Romania, our founders' message and their legacy has a special meaning. Romanians know the value of freedom and the costs of communism. You know that freedom is not automatic. That is must be renewed, passed on and defended. And our nation is proud to do that in partnership with you,' the diplomat said. He emphasized that the event pays tribute to the US and the country's founding fathers. 'America is not exceptional because it is perfect. We are not. America is exceptional because it was founded on an exceptional idea: that freedom belongs to every person, that government serves the people, and that rights are protected by law, not given by government,' Darryl Nirenberg said. The diplomat also told a personal story. 'About 140 years after the Declaration, my grandfather left Eastern Europe for America. I think of him passing the Statue of Liberty, both anxious and excited. As he looked upon his new land, there is no way he could have ever imagined that one day his grandson would return to the region he had just left as a US ambassador. But he may not have been surprised. He told us time and again that in America anything was possible,' Nirenberg said. The ambassador noted that over the past century, America has used its strength not only to defend itself, but also to help others - rebuilding countries that were once enemies, after World War II, and supporting the nations of Eastern Europe in their struggle to free themselves from communism, and that is also the legacy of the founding fathers. 'Our partnership is based on shared values, rooted in Western civilization, but which resonate far beyond the West: faith, family, personal responsibility and the conviction that nations are strongest when their people are free,' the diplomat emphasized. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi) Display count: 212
A century of commercial aviation marked at Iasi Airport by Romanian and Moldovan officials
Authorities from Romania and the Republic of Moldova marked 100 years since the inauguration of Romania's first commercial aviation route - Bucharest-Galati-Iasi-Chisinau - through an anniversary event held on Wednesday at Iasi Airport, in partnership with the Romanian Air League and the Iasi County Council. The ceremony, hosted at airport Terminal T4, brought together officials from both countries, representatives of local administrations, members of the aeronautical community and security institutions, in a tribute to a milestone moment in the history of Romanian air transport. A commemorative plaque marking the centenary of the first commercial flight on the Bucharest-Galati-Chisinau route was unveiled, and participants visited an exhibition on aviation history featuring items from the collection of retired commander Ioan Botez, a member of the Romanian Air League. Through this anniversary event, Iasi Airport paid homage both to the pioneers of commercial aviation and to the transformations that have made air transport one of the defining mobility systems of the modern world. Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Vladimir Bolea, recalled that Chisinau has recently aligned its civil aviation celebrations with this historical moment. 'In 2025 the Republic of Moldova supported the proposal to move Civil Aviation Day to June 24. This year we celebrate it for the second time, but we also mark another important moment - 100 years since the first commercial flight, from Bucharest to Galati, and from Galati one aircraft flew to Chisinau and another to Iasi,' he said. Bolea noted that the inaugural flight also carried mail, marking the start of commercial postal aviation. 'This is why the Romanian Post and the Moldovan Post collaborated to issue several collectible stamps,' the Moldovan official added. Iasi County Council president Costel Alexe said the vision of a century ago has become reality. 'If a century ago connecting Iasi by air was just a perspective, a vision of the future, today we can say that vision has been fulfilled and continues to develop. It is no coincidence that Iasi was part of this historic route from the very beginning,' he stated, adding that Iasi has long been a gateway to Eastern Europe and a meeting point for ideas and opportunities. He also highlighted the natural link with Chisinau: 'We have always been brothers standing by each other on this eastern border of Europe.' Speakers pointed out Iasi city's early role in regional air connectivity. Romanian Transport Ministry Secretary of State Irinel Scriosteanu recalled that the period of the first commercial flights coincided with the construction of numerous bridges over the Prut River, 'the start being given by the most famous minister and engineer, Anghel Saligny'. Officials also pointed to ongoing cross-border infrastructure projects, including the new bridge over the Prut at Ungheni, part of the A8 'Union Motorway', and the planned electrified railway link between Iasi and Ungheni. Vladimir Bolea noted recent progress: 'Yesterday I was in Brussels and signed for the feasibility study, which must be completed by the end of 2027, with work to extend the project to Chisinau starting in 2028'. The first commercial flight on the Bucharest-Galati-Iasi-Chisinau route took place on June 24, 1926, an event considered the birth of commercial aviation in the region. The inaugural ceremony, attended by King Ferdinand I, members of the Royal Family and the diplomatic corps, included an air show at Baneasa Airport. Two De Havilland DH-9 aircraft took off for Galati, each carrying a volunteer passenger. In 1927, the DH-9s were replaced with six Czechoslovak-built Avia BH-25 aircraft. The price of a ticket on the route was equivalent to that of a train fare. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniela Malache; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi) Display count: 461
U.S. Ambassador says deterrence depends on capabilities, and Romania's capabilities remain strong
U.S. Ambassador to Bucharest Darryl Nirenberg, speaking on Wednesday ahead of the U.S. National Day reception, said that deterrence is not about the number of troops but about capabilities, and that capabilities in Romania remain strong. He reiterated that the United States is co
Nicusor Dan: NATO's eastern flank and Black Sea are on front line of Russia threats
NATO's eastern flank and the Black Sea region are on the front line of Russian threats, President Nicusor Dan said on Wednesday at the United States Independence Day reception. 'We must not forget that, in our neighborhood, Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues, and Romania and its citizens are directly affected by the consequences of the reckless escalation in which the Kremlin has engaged. NATO's eastern flank and the Black Sea region are on the front line of Russian threats. I would like to express on this occasion the deep gratitude of Romania and each of its citizens for the efforts of the United States and our Allies to strengthen defense and deterrence measures in our country,' the head of state declared. The 250-year journey of the United States did not begin and has never been undertaken in solitude, he said. Moreover, the President added, the U.S. holds a central role in a system of alliances and partnerships that ensure our freedom, security and prosperity. 'This 'Western' system, in a political, not geographical sense, has a special value for Romania, as a state that, since the Union of the Principalities, has voluntarily and consciously assumed the role of exponent of a civilization built on the ideas and principles that animated the Founding Fathers of the United States,' Nicusor Dan pointed out. President Dan said that the results of the perseverance of Romanians regarding membership in the Western community of values 'are more important than ever' and recalled that next year 30 years of Strategic Partnership will be celebrated. 'While we are grateful to all our allies, I assure you that Romania fully assumes responsibility for its own defense and contributes to the security of its partners. In a few days, at the NATO Summit in Ankara, I will present to President Trump and our allies the efforts that Romania is making to increase the capabilities of its armed forces. Thus, we participate with determination in the common European effort to consolidate Euro-Atlantic security', stated Nicusor Dan. The President conveyed that Romania's accession to the OECD is a strategic priority, not only through the primacy of national economic interests, but also through that of belonging to a set of common values, and the support of the U.S. is essential in this endeavor. 'I return to the idea with which I began - the enduring power of the ideals proclaimed by the Declaration of Independence. This power must continue to inspire us today, when we are confronted with complex challenges and overlapping crises at a global level. Our most effective common weapon is unity, and the power of unity comes precisely from our common values. Therefore, Romania will remain steadfast alongside the United States in the defense of freedom and democracy', emphasized Nicusor Dan. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi) Display count: 338
FEATURE/ Ia Day/ 'Stefan cel Mare' Vaslui County Museum revives old traditional shirts
Ten women's folk blouses sewn after the patterns of old traditional shirts held in the collection of the 'Stefan cel Mare' County Museum in Vaslui were showcased on Wednesday in an exhibition marking Universal Ia Day. The items were crafted by several women who, out of love for t
Victoria Palace to be illuminated Wednesday in colors of Romanian and U.S. flags
The Victoria Palace will be illuminated on Wednesday evening in the colors of the flags of Romania and the United States of America, as a symbol of strategic bilateral relations and friendship, informs the Government Press Office. According to the cited source, the Government joi
Merops anti-drone system integrated with Romanian Army's defence architecture
The Merops counter-unmanned aircraft system, made available to Romania by the United States of America under a bilateral strategic partnership, has been made operational and become integrated with the defence architecture the Romanian Army, the Defence Ministry (MApN) informed on
Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry opens Representation Office in New Delhi
The Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIB) has opened a Representation Office in New Delhi, to be headed by Dan Pantea, the institution announced on Wednesday in a release. The New Delhi office will ensure institutional representation in relations with central and loca
Grindeanu says he will reduce VAT if there is fiscal space, respecting Romania's agreements
PSD chairman Sorin Grindeanu declared on Wednesday that if he becomes prime minister and if there is fiscal space respecting Romania's agreements, he will have no hesitation in reducing VAT. Grindeanu was asked if he would reduce VAT if he became prime minister. 'I know that thes
Interim FinMin Nazare: Romania does not deserve to lose billions of euros in financing and funding
Romania does not deserve to suddenly lose billions of euros in financing or funding, as it risked doing last summer, and Romanians, despite the division being fuelled today from all directions, need these funds and this place in the world as they need air, interim Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare wrote on his social media page on Wednesday. 'In two weeks, Romania will resume discussions with rating agencies, with meetings already scheduled with Fitch and Moody's, in preparation for the next country risk reports, in which we must once again convince them - after we barely managed last summer - that we do not deserve to be downgraded to Junk status. That Romania is not a peripheral country but, on the contrary, deserves to remain in an honourable place in Europe and in a strategic dialogue with the US and other major world economies. That Romania does not deserve to suddenly lose billions of euros in financing or funding, as it risked doing last summer, and that Romanians, despite the division being fuelled today from all directions, need these funds and this place in the world as they need air,' Nazare underscored. According to the minister, currently there is 'not only a political crisis' but also 'a series of serious problems.' The official points to 'a legacy bill from recent years,' which we will continue to pay for some time, followed by social insecurity and total lack of trust in one another (where we are, how we see ourselves and what we still recognise in ourselves), as well as health insecurity - how we care for ourselves and how the healthcare system looks after our health; whether we will ever reach a point where we can live a long and worry-free life in Romania. In the official's view, while public debate drifts in one direction or another, continuously fuelled in the public space, a highly serious and dangerous phenomenon is taking place: the erosion of mutual trust. The result is an entire society that is weakened, tired and overstressed. He also mentioned that all these problems translate into fragmentation, difficulty in building consensus - in engaging in mature dialogue and finding reasonable solutions for essential reforms and in the weakening of public cooperation mechanisms - which are essential for modernising the state, attracting investment, maintaining European funds and offering future generations a real chance at a better life. Minister Nazare believes that the final destination is not marginalisation, the isolation of dialogue into offline or online camps, or the loss of credibility, but stability, trust and a secure place for Romania within Europe's economic and strategic core. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Badea; EN - writing by: Rodica State) Display count: 1
PSD decides to assume government responsibility; Grindeanu nominated as prime minister
The National Standing Bureau (BPN) of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) decided on Wednesday, unanimously, that the party will assume government responsibility, with Social Democratic Party leader Sorin Grindeanu as prime minister nominee. 'The PSD's National Standing Bureau deci
Romanian Blouse Day/Culture Ministry: Celebration of women who passed down altita blouse craftsmanship
The Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse is an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, diligence and craftsmanship of the women who have created and passed down through generations the traditions associated with making the ie with alti?a, from weaving the fabric to tailoring the garment and selecting its distinctive ornaments, the Culture Ministry said on Wednesday. 'On Romanian Blouse Day, the Culture Ministry expresses its gratitude to all those who contribute to preserving and promoting Romania's intangible cultural heritage. Its true value lies not only in the objects themselves, held in museum collections in Romania and abroad, but above all in the knowledge, techniques and talent of the people who bring them to life and pass them on,' the ministry said in a statement posted on Facebook. Romanian Blouse Day is celebrated annually on June 24 and was officially recognised through Law No. 184/2022, following nearly a decade during which the occasion had been marked at the initiative of Romanian diaspora communities and promoters of Romanian cultural identity worldwide. International recognition of these practices culminated in the inscription of the multinational file 'The Art of the Blouse with Altita - an Element of Cultural Identity in Romania and the Republic of Moldova' on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 1, 2022, in Rabat, Morocco. The file was prepared by experts under the coordination of Romania's Culture Ministry in cooperation with the Culture Ministry of the Republic of Moldova. The blouse with altita (the decorative shoulder panel of the traditional Romanian blouse, Editor's note), the central piece of traditional women's costume, continues to be worn today during religious celebrations, family ceremonies and cultural and community events. Known by various local names, including ciupag (traditional embroidered blouse), spacel (short traditional blouse), manecar (blouse distinguished by its ornate sleeves), camasa rasucita (twisted-cut shirt) and camesa cu lancez (traditional shirt with decorative side inserts), it reflects the cultural diversity of the regions where it is made while preserving a common structure and identity function linked to its distinctive cut and rich ornamentation. According to the ministry, Romania also celebrates Sanziene on June 24, one of the most important festivals in the traditional Romanian calendar. In 2021, 'Cultural Practices Associated with June 24 - Sanziene and Dragaica' were included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage as an expression of the relationship between human communities and nature at the beginning of summer. The Ministry of Culture continues to implement and monitor the safeguarding measures undertaken through the UNESCO file, in partnership with practitioners' communities, museums, academia and cultural organisations. 'These efforts aim to support the transmission of traditional craftsmanship, the continued documentation and research of the element, the promotion of authentic practices and support for the women artisans who keep this heritage alive,' the ministry added. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob) Display count: 1
Only 40% vacancies display salary info two weeks after transparency comes into force
Only 40% of job vacancies display salary information two weeks after the salary transparency law came into force, representing more than 6,600 positions, according to data from an online recruitment platform. The new salary transparency rules require employers to communicate salary information before the interview stage. According eJobs Romania Sales Director Roxana Draghici, the number of vacancies that include salary details has increased by no more than 5% since the new legislation came into force on 7 June. 'Employers are still adapting to the new law and to the way they need to approach salary disclosure. These new rules introduced through the European directive represent one of the most significant changes to labour legislation in recent years,' Draghici said in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday. Since the law came into effect, approximately 4,000 vacancies have been published with salary information included in the job advertisement. Most of these offers are in the services sector, followed by retail and transport/logistics. Construction, manufacturing and tourism are also among the sectors most open to displaying salary information. According to Salario, eJobs' salary comparison platform, average net salaries are approximately 4,500 lei in Services and Tourism, 4,600 lei in Retail, 5,000 lei in Transport and Logistics, 5,300 lei in Manufacturing and 6,000 lei in Construction. On the other hand, in sectors such as financial services, IT/telecommunications, marketing and consultancy, where there is a higher proportion of specialist and experienced positions, employers remain more reluctant to disclose salaries in job advertisements, platform representatives said. In these sectors, only 20% of vacancies published after 7 June with publicly displayed salaries are aimed at candidates with more than five years of experience or management positions. Average salaries in these fields are higher, standing at 5,000 lei in Financial Services, 5,500 lei in Marketing, 5,900 lei in Consultancy and 8,000 lei in IT. The quoted data show that advertisements including salary information attract approximately 40% more applications than those without salary details. Representatives of the recruitment platform said that the salary filter is being used increasingly frequently by candidates, as remuneration has once again become the main factor considered when choosing a job. At present, around 17,000 vacancies are available on eJobs.ro, while a further 6,000 positions are listed on iajob.ro, a platform dedicated to rapid recruitment. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Mariana Nica; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu) Display count: 147
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ANM issues Code Yellow warning for atmospheric instability in areas of 23 counties on Wednesday
Meteorologists issued a Code Yellow warning for unstable weather on Wednesday, valid throughout the day in areas across 23 counties in Moldavia, Dobrogea, Muntenia, Transylvania and Oltenia. According to the National Meteorological Administration (ANM), on Wednesday between 12:00