Romania Brings Changes To Education System
Romania’s Education Minister Remus Pricopie recently said that second, fourth and sixth graders will also take national examinations starting with the 2013-2014 school year.
He said the measure is necessary because such exams have been taken only by eighth graders so far. (Curentul)
Romania June Construction Output Falls At Fastest Pace In EU
Romanian adjusted construction output fell 2.4% on the month in June, the largest decreased in the European Union, official data showed Tuesday.
In the EU, construction works inched up 0.8% in June from the previous month, the bloc’s statistics office Eurostat said. The data are adjusted for seasonal factors.
Among the member states for which data were available, construction output rose in four, fell in six and remained stable in Spain, France and Hungary. The increases were registered in Slovenia (+10.5%), Poland (+5.3%), Germany (+1.6%) and the Czech Republic (+1.3%), and the largest decreases in Romania, Portugal (-2.2%) and Sweden (-0.9%).
In June compared with the same month of 2012, Romanian construction output fell 3.9%, the data showed. The EU average output was down 1.5%.
Construction output fell in ten EU states and rose in three. The largest decreases were registered in Poland (-16.3%), Portugal (-12%) and Slovakia (-10.7%), and the increases in Hungary (+12.5%), Spain (+4.1%) and Sweden (+3.1%). (Curentul)
PM: Signing Of CFR Marfa Sale Contract Depends On Appointing New Transport Minister
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta said the signing of the sale contract of state-run freight railway carrier CFR Marfa depends on appointing a new transport minister.
The transport minister position was taken over by Ponta in interim capacity. Ponta may serve as interim for a 45-day period, which expires on August 25.
The government decision approving the sale of a 51% stake in CFR Marfa to Grup Feroviar Roman (GFR) was published in the country’s Official Journal on August 15. The sale is to be finalized within 60 days of publication. (Gandul)
State Secretary Cristian Ghibu Rumored As Next Transport Minister
The name of Liberal Party member Cristian Ghibu, state secretary within Romania’s Transport Ministry, has been floated as the next transport minister.
Teodor Atanasiu (former defense minister), MEP Norica Nicolai, Cristian Buican (Lower Chamber secretary and head of PNL’s local branch in Valcea), as well as senator Marius Nicoara, all members of the Liberal Party, have also been nominated for the position.
The Liberal Party’s standing office will make a decision in this respect Sunday. (Gandul)
PM Ponta Invites Opposition Parties To Talks On Economic Matters
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has invited opposition parties to talks on economic matters.
Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) and Dan Diaconescu’s People’s Party (PPDD) have not given a straight answer yet, but they seem open to collaboration with the Ponta Cabinet.
Ponta has recently said he is ready to use any ideas coming from the opposition as long as they are worthwhile. (Adevarul)