Theodor Stolojan, Monica Macovei To Run For MEP
Romanian Democratic Liberal Party spokeswoman Adriana Saftoiu said Thursday that Theodor Stolojan and Monica Macovei will compete in the race for a seat in the European Parliament.
Saftoiu says the list of nominees is not complete, adding that it is too early to say whether MEP Elena Basescu will also be nominated. (Gandul)
Iasi-Ungheni Gas Pipeline Project Allotted EUR26.5M
The project to build the gas pipeline running from Iasi (Romania) to Ungheni (the Republic of Moldova) has been allotted EUR26.49 million, of which EUR7 million will be secured by the European Union.
The contract to build the gas pipeline has been signed Thursday, according to the Romanian Development Ministry.
The project will be developed by Romania’s National Agency for Mineral Resources, or ANRM, in partnership with Moldova’s Economy Ministry. The contract will run for 17 months. (Adevarul)
Romanian Integrity Agency Accuses Sibiu Mayor Of Conflict Of Interest
Romania’s National Integrity Agency (ANI) has asked prosecutors to investigate Sibiu mayor Klaus Iohannis for conflict of interest.
According to ANI, on December 23, 2010, the mayor signed a service contract with S.C. Tipografia Honterus S.R.L., a firm owned by the Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania, whose leader he was between 2002 and 2013.
Iohannis is also first vice-president of the Liberal Party. (Gandul)
Romanian Experts Couldn’t Say Exactly If Burnt Paintings Are From Kunsthal Museum
Experts at Romania’s National Museum of History, or MNIR, could not say clearly after ash investigations whether the paintings burnt in a stove in Romania were those stolen from the Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam.
MNIR manager Ernest Oberländer-Tarnoveanu said Thursday investigations revealed that up to four oil paintings were burnt in the stove.
According to experts, the nails found in the ash date as far back as the 19th century and were handmade.
Seven valuable paintings were stolen in October from the Kunsthal Museum. The works include “Tête d’Arlequin” by Pablo Picasso, “La Liseuse en Blanc et Jaune” by Henri Matisse, “Waterloo Bridge” and “Charing Cross Bridge” by Claude Monet, “Femme devant une fenêtre ouverte, dite la fiancée” by Paul Gauguin and “Autoportrait de Meyer de Haan” by Lucian Freud.
In July, Romanian organized crime prosecutors indicted Radu Dogaru, Eugen Darie, Alexandru Bitu, Olga Dogaru, Petre Condrat and Adrian Procop on charges of stealing the paintings.
According to the indictment bill, Radu Dogaru’s mother, Olga Dogaru, buried the paintings in the yard of an abandoned house and then in a graveyard. When searches started, on February 13, she unburied and burnt them in a stove in her own house. (Curentul)
Over 60 Romanian Dignitaries Still Live In RA-APPS Buildings
Over 60 advisers to ministers and government inspectors live in buildings administered by the country’s state property authority RA-APPS.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said early this year, the number of officials using these buildings will be reduced significantly.
In January 2013, the Government said 192 dignitaries were living in RA-APPS buildings.
RA-APPS, which employs over 2,170 people with monthly average salaries exceeding RON1,900, is in charge of around 650 government residences and offices, more than 75 villas and over 250 hectares of land, inherited from the former state apparatus of the Communist Party and now occupied by current or former dignitaries, or even their relatives.
According to official sources, the assets managed by RA-APPS are worth EUR0.5 billion – 1 billion. (Curentul)