Basescu: CFR Marfa Privatization Is Government’s Responsibility
Romania’s President Traian Basescu said the privatization of state-owned freight railway carrier CFR Marfa is the Government’s responsibility.
The head of state said the Executive should speed up the privatization process, adding that Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s summer holiday is delaying the sale.
Basescu convened the country’s high defense body CSAT last week for talks on the privatization of CFR Marfa, but no new decision was taken.
The strategy for the privatization of CFR Marfa was approved by CSAT on February 5.
Private railway company Grup Feroviar Roman (GFR) won an auction organized by the Transport Ministry to privatize CFR Marfa and offered EUR202 million for a 51% stake in the railway operator. The sale contract has yet to be signed. (Evenimentul Zilei)
MP Elena Udrea Might Run For President
Romanian democrat liberal MP Elena Udrea said she doesn’t rule out the idea of running for president next year.
Udrea said that selecting a right-wing candidate for the 2014 presidential elections depends on various factors, including the profile of the left wing party’s nominee. (Adevarul)
Volume Of Retail Sales In EU Rose 0.1% On Year In June
The volume of retail trade fell 0.9% in the Euro area in June 2013 compared with the similar month a year ago and rose 0.1% in the European Union (EU27), according to Eurostat.
The sharpest decreases were registered by Spain (6.9%), Slovenia (3.6%) and Romania (3.1%).
Luxembourg, Lithuania and Poland witnessed the highest retail trade increases, by 27.5%, 6.7% and 5.5%, respectively.
Compared with May 2013, the volume of retail trade in June fell 0.5% in the Euro area and by 0.3% in the EU. (Curentul)
Omar Hayssam Files Appeal To Final Decision In Terrorism Case
Syrian Omar Hayssam has filed an appeal to a final ruling by the High Court of Justice, which sentenced him to 20 years in prison for terrorism.
If the appeal is approved, Hayssam’s case will be retried. His request will be discussed starting January 24, 2014.
Hayssam is sentenced in Romania in four cases, including one for embezzlement, for which it got 16 years in prison.
Hayssam was extradited from Syria in July. (Evenimentul Zilei)