no. 15/ 7th -...

Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Arundel House, 4 Palace Green London W8 4QD UK Phone: 0044 (0)20 7937 9666 Fax: 0044 (0)20 7937 8069 e-mail: [email protected] web site: www.london.mae.ro

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No. 15/ 7th

Year

POLITICS

1. Elected President Klaus Iohannis attended the National Day festivities on December 1 in

Alba Iulia

2. National Day parade: Over 2,800 military, 280 combat vehicles marched in Constitution

Square

3. PM Ponta: We'll have 15 priority directions of action in the government programme

4. AFP: Romanian PM reshuffles cabinet after poll defeat

5. ForMin Aurescu: NATO must continue to keep an eye on the Black Sea region

6. Experts of the European Commission for the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism

met Romanian MPs

ECONOMICS

1. INSCOP: Creating jobs and respect for laws, indicated by Romanians as main priorities

of President

2. Exports hit 44 billion euros at the end of October

3. Agreement in principle with IMF for 1.83pct of GDP budget deficit

4. Romania, Vice-President on behalf of the Eastern European Group of the Board of

UNIDO

5. Romania records an economic growth of 1.8% in Q3

6. Industry, agriculture, communications have greatest contribution to GDP growth

7. Romania becomes co-owner of the International Space Station

SOCIAL

1. Royal House organized a symbolic trip by the royal train on December 1

2. Princess Margareta and Prince Radu welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham

Palace

3. Unemployment rate in October 2014 estimated at 6.7 per cent

4. The level of poverty of elders in Romania was reduced to 35% in 2013 (study)

5. OECD: the life expectancy in the EU increased to over 79; in Romania is under 75

6. Survey: Presidency, Army, Church and the EU lead charts on people's trust in public

institutions



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CULTURE

1. Over 250 companies from Romania and abroad at the Gift Fair – Bucharest Christmas

Shopping in Romexpo

2. Savarsin Castle, where the Royal Family spends the Winter Holidays

3. Maramures wooden churches, in the famous UNESCO World Heritage List

4. With record-high 33,000 tickets sold, star violinist Andre Rieu announces fourth concert

in Bucharest

POLITIC

1. Elected President Klaus Iohannis attended the National Day festivities on December 1 in

Alba Iulia

Romanian President-elect Klaus Iohannis attended the National Day festivities on December 1 in Alba

Iulia (north-west of Bucharest).

Klaus Iohannis arrived in Alba Iulia at around 11 a.m. to lay wreaths at the busts of King Ferdinand

and Queen Maria, who accomplished the Great Union of December 1, 1918 that is celebrated on

Monday. The president-elect attended a Te Deum officiated at the Reunification Cathedral and the

military parade and afterwards he went to Alba Iulia City Hall, where he gave an interview to the

foreign press.

The official festivities began at 9:30 a.m. on Monday in Alba Iulia by wreath-laying at the statues of

Ionel Bratianu and Iuliu Maniu, followed at 10:15 by flower-laying at the busts of King Ferdinand and

Queen Maria and at Michael the Brave's statue at 10:30 a.m. The Te Deum is scheduled to begin at

noon and the military parade will start at 12:30.

2. National Day parade: Over 2,800 military, 280 combat vehicles marche in Constitution

Square

Over 2,800 military and 280 combat vehicles with the National Defence Ministry (MApN), the Interior

Affairs Ministry (MAI), the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) and the Dignitaries' Protection

Service (SPP) have marched on 1st December in the Constitution Square, central Bucharest, in a parade

dedicated to the National Day of Romania.

The commander of this year's parade, Brigadier General Tomita-Catalin Tomescu, deputy of the

Instruction and Doctrine Department Chief with the General Staff, opened the parade. The first unit



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which entered the roundabout was the Red Scorpions 26 Infantry Battalion, followed by an

international detachment formed of military of the French Army, the Republic of Moldova, Poland,

Turkey and US marines.

The parade continued with the march of the Calugareni 2 Infantry Battalion, the 495 Battalion of which

the intervention forces are, including divers and paratroopers, the Military Intelligence Brigade, the

Military Police representatives, the Navy and the Airforce representatives.

The Airforce planes could not take part in the parade due to the bad weather.

A regiment of women with the Romanian Army, the students of the Brasov-based Airforce Academy,

those of the Mircea cel Batran Naval Academy, those of the Nicolae Balcescu Land Forces Academy

and the pupils Detachment with the Dimitrie Cantemir National Military College of Breaza, marched

in.

Further on, in front of the almost 10,000 people attending the parade, have marched the detachment of

the Alexandru Ioan Cuza Police Academy, the fighters detachment of the Vlad Tepes Special

Intervention Brigade with the Romanian Gendarmerie and the detachments of the General Inspectorate

for Emergency Situations (IGSU).

The parade continued in a first with the march of the students of the Vasile Lascar Police Agents

School from Campina, followed by the SRI detachment, with its Anti-terror Brigade, the ones who

make the security check on the airports, the honour guard of the Gendarmerie, while the Mihai Viteazul

guard regiment executed a 'drill team' exercise.

After this moment, the military technique of the motorized 1 Brigade followed, with URO VAMTAC

armoured vehicles, Piranha III armoured personnel carrier, "Jderul" 84 M combat machines, "Zimbrul"

APCs, TR 85 M1 "Bizonul" tanks, LAROM multiple rocket launcher, the GEPARD anti-aircraft

artillery system, the anti-aircraft complex towed with 2 35 mm OERLIKON cannons, HUMVEEs, the

Chevrolet Tahoe land vehicles, the Harris/Chevrolet radio stations and the surface-to-air rockets

detachment with HAWK ground-based.

The naval forces have marched with RIB ships, FULGERUL boats, Mobile installations for Launching

the Rockets, armoured radio stations with frequency hopping on URO VAMTAC, and the

Communications and Informatics Command have marched with ATBTU PANHARD and Dacia Duster

vehicles, the ANCHOR satellite auto-station which ensures voice and data connections among any

spots, Falcon radio auto-stations, the video-conferences' communication auto-station, the CRBN auto-

special vehicles and the NATO deployable communication Module.

Further on, the parade was filled with the march of the MAI structures, with 10 BMW motorcycles of

the Traffic Police, a Porsche automobile for the road surveillance and control of the same Traffic

Police, the SIAS special intervention vehicles, the Border Police with its ATVs, Dacia Duster, IVECO

patrol trucks, thermo-vision filming special trucks on Land Rover Discovery vehicles, a Harpoon boat,

RR boats towed by Dacia Duster, special trucks for dogs deployment mounted on Mitsubishi L200,

followed by the Gendarmerie technics, with transport special trucks of the troops and those with water



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cannons, special trucks with mobile communication systems and 4x4 vehicles with the Mountain

Gendarmerie.

The parade continued with the IGSU forces, meaning the water cannons special trucks, the emergency

paramedics vehicle, the Emergency Mobile Resuscitation and Extrication Service (SMURD) vehicles,

the HAZMAT special trucks for decontamination and intervention in disasters, the extrication special

vehicles, pneumatic boats with divers, special trucks for extinguishing fires with water and foam and an

auto-ladder for intervention at 70 metres high.

Technics with the SRI endowment was present, too, with special vehicles of anti-terror intervention,

the SPP marching units, the cavalry of the Mounted Gendarmerie, the Bucharest Local Police Mounted

patrol, the parade being closed with the Honour Guard of the Mihai Viteazul 30 Regiment Guard and

the Military Music Regiment.

At the parade organised by the MApN, together with the MAI, SRI and SPP, were present the

incumbent president Traian Basescu and the Prime Minister Victor Ponta, among the participants

attending the ceremonies on the occasion of the National Day were also the National Defence minister,

Mircea Dusa, the Interior Affairs minister, Gabriel Oprea and the Speaker of the Deputies' Chamber,

Valeriu Zgonea.

3. PM Ponta: We'll have 15 priority directions of action in the government programme

Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced that the government programme for 2015 - 2016 will have 15

priority directions of actions, a special accent being to be put on the fight against tax evasion, the

European funds, the centralisation and development of the administrative capacities, the tax system.

At the end of a ruling coalition's meeting, the Government head announced a priority actions' agenda

which continues to match the government programme the former USL (Liberal Social Union) has run

in 2012 parliamentary elections and for which it got majority.

"We have structured these priority actions of the 2015 — 2016 agenda on two kinds of actions:

government and public policies viewing in particular and being able to become concrete by decisions

made within Romanian's Parliament. The priority government actions for 2015 — 2016 within the

parliamentary majority and the Government will have 15 such directions of action and fields in which

we wish to continue the good things we have started 2 1/2 years ago of joint governance, but also to

highlight and be able to assess very clearly concrete results," Ponta said

Gov't approved next year's state budget bill. No additional taxes applied

The Government approved on Friday the 2015 state budget bill and the social security budget bill.

"The three bills to be referred to Parliament are the bill approving the caps on certain indicators set

forth in the 2015 fiscal and budgetary framework and in the fiscal & budgetary strategy, the state



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budget bill for 2015, and the bill on the state social security budget," Premier Victor Ponta told the

Government's extraordinary meeting convened for the passage of the said items of legislation.

In the opinion of the Prime Minister, the adoption of the budget bill is "the most important and most

difficult moment in a government's activity".

Next year's budget blueprint provides for no additional taxes and rates, and the lower amounts

pinpointed for certain budget authorities are to a certain extent the result of the 5 percent cut in the

social security contribution that applies for public institutions as well, so that payroll expenses will be

lower, and are also due to the fact that the amounts paid under enforcement orders are no longer

included in next year's budget, Premier Victor Ponta said on Friday at the Victoria Palace of

Government.

"I want to state this once again, that the budget bill provides for no additional taxes and rates, but just

for what is already in effect as regards economic and social measures. I am referring here to the cut in

the social security contribution, the tax break for the reinvested profit (...) and we also passed the

emergency ordinance that defines the all-inclusive tourism packages that will be granted a reduced

VAT rate," Ponta told the Government's extraordinary meeting on Friday.

The Premier also insisted that the Government members should reinforce the idea that investments next

year are in no way bound to decrease.

"I would ask all our colleagues in the Government to clearly reinforce this idea — because I saw there

is criticism to that and it's important that we talk with figures — on how things really stand about

investments. There are 44 billion lei provided for that, nine billion lei more than in 2014, so the idea

that investments will decrease is incorrect. (...) I don't think the subject needs any further comments,"

Ponta said.

4. AFP: Romanian PM reshuffles cabinet after poll defeat

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta reshuffled his leftist government a month after his surprise

defeat in presidential elections. Ponta told reporters that the new line-up, which is expected to easily

pass in a parliamentary vote aims to "keep Romania on the path of economic growth and continue the

reforms launched in the past two years."

The ruling Social Democrats and their coalition partners were the main winners in the reshuffle.

Several little-known lawmakers from the government parties were given ministries previously held by

technocrats.



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The economy ministry went to Social Democratic lawmaker Mihai Tudose, who has no experience in

the area. Budget Minister Darius Valcov's remit was expanded to include finance after the two

ministries were merged.

There were no changes in the foreign or defence ministries.

Ponta said he hoped for better cooperation with centre-right president-elect Klaus Iohannis, who takes

office on December 21, than with his predecessor, Traian Basescu. Relations were often stormy

between Ponta and the conservative Basescu.

Ponta was seen as the frontrunner in last month's election but was beaten in the runoff by Iohannis, an

ethnic German who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform.

The reshuffle came days after officials from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union -

- suppliers of a 2009 bailout package -- visited Bucharest to discuss the government's 2015 draft

budget. The budget is based on a forecast of 2.5 percent growth and a deficit of 1.83 percent of GDP,

up from a previous deficit estimate of 1.4 per cent. The lenders gave the budget the provisional thumbs-

up but opposed Ponta's bid to increase defence spending by 0.3 percent of GDP.

5. ForMin Aurescu: NATO must continue to keep an eye on the Black Sea region

Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu had a meeting with the Secretary General of

NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, on which occasion he opined that the North-Atlantic Alliance must continue

to keep an eye on the Black Sea region, so that security is maintained in this area, reads a release of

MAE.

This [keeping an eye - editor's note] should also be reflected by new measures of strengthening the

Allied security, including through the carrying out of joint exercises, exchange of information and

assessments of the situation.

The meeting took place in the context of a reunion of foreign ministers from Allied states and provided

opportunity for an assessment of the progress recorded so far in the implementation by the heads of

state and government of the decisions adopted at the NATO Summit recently held in UK, with an

emphasis on Romania's priority objectives, specified MAE.

More to that, the Romanian diplomacy chief assured the Secretary General of NATO of the full support

the Bucharest authorities are ready to give him, as well as of Romania's firm commitment in continuing

to be 'a trustful ally, with important contributions brought to the signification, objectives, policies and

missions of the Alliance.'

Moreover, Aurescu underlined that Romanian gives a special importance to the obtaining in 2015 of



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concrete and visible results regarding the implementation of the Alliance's Action Plan to increase its

reaction level, including through allowing the presence of the Allies within its territory. The Romanian

Ministry of Foreign Affairs reconfirmed Romania's availability to host such elements of command and

control of NATO on its national territory.

Further into the meeting, they also tackled the Afghanistan issue, context in which Bogdan Aurescu

reconfirmed Romania's commitment to the Alliance's mission in this country and briefed Stoltenberg

about the 'substantial' contribution of Bucharest to a new training, consultancy and assistance mission -

"Resolute Support" - to begin on January 1, 2015.

Moreover, Aurescu informed Jens Stoltenberg about the current stage of operationalisation of the

Deveselu Military Base, everything going there according to plan.

'The Secretary General of NATO appreciated the constant and substantial role of Romania within

NATO, showing that Romania consolidated its profile as a solid Ally, trustworthy, with approaches

that contribute to the security of the Alliance as a whole. He especially appreciated the substantial

contribution Romania continues to bring in Afghanistan, underlying that the country plays a substantial

role in the success of this new missions. He encouraged at the same time the continuation of an active

participation of Romania in the objectives and policies of the Alliance,' showed MAE.

Romania to provide consular protection for Canadian citizens on Syrian territory

Romania and Canada on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding under which Romania will

provide consular services to the Canadian state and citizens on Syrian territory, reads a press release

this Wednesday. According to the abovementioned source, under the agreement signed at the Foreign

Ministry headquarters, Romania commits to provide, through its Embassy in Damascus — Syria,

consular protection to Canadian citizens as long as they are on this state's territory, as well as to the

interests of the Canadian state.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hails the conclusion of the agreement that reflects the current stage of

excellence reached by bilateral relations between Romania and Canada, grounded on trust, common

values and the principles of a solid partnership. Similar agreements were also previously concluded

with France, the Republic of Moldova and Australia, countries that also don't have active diplomatic

offices in Syria," Romania's Foreign Ministry specified.

6. Experts of the European Commission for the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism

met Romanian MPs

Members of the two legal committees in the Deputies Chamber and the Senate had a meeting with the

experts of the European Commission [EC] for the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) to

discuss about justice, conclusions after the talks resulting 'positive,' according to the chair of the Legal



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Committee of the Senate, Catalin Bococ [of the National Liberal Party - PNL, in the Opposition].

According to his own statement, he expects that the report on justice to be issued by the EC in January

should be favourable for Romania.

'Beyond any political opinion, we are discussing here about the Justice in Romania, about the

progresses that we all have to agree were made and I'm glad that all the political parties sent their

representatives to the meeting and we were thus able to leave aside our preconceived biases. Things

should be explained in such a manner so that people would be able to make a correct opinion on them

and the report in January may be one very well documented. I hope and I believe that all the data we

see today point to a favourable report,' Boboc said in the Senate on Tuesday.

The head of the Legal Committee of the Senate also specified that the CVM experts were mainly

interested in certain mechanisms characteristic for the functioning of the justice system in Romania -

the implementation of the new Codes, the enforcement of the Constitutional Court's decision, but also

in the manner in which consultations on the drafting of some normative acts were held.

He also added that CVM experts also showed interest in the procedures concerned with the dignitaries

who are subjects of criminal investigations.

'This was another topic that we approached. They wanted to know the mechanisms. Of course that the

criminal liability is personal, differing from case to case. Parliament, as dictated by the Constitution -

and we will have to discuss this again when we will be revising the Constitution, provided that this will

still happen - asks the Prosecutor's Office to initiate the criminal proceedings. However, as a member

of the Legal Committee, when you ask for the initiation of criminal proceedings against someone, of

course that you cannot treat situation as if it were a toy. I believe that all that has happened in the recent

time clearly showed the path we committed ourselves to,' said Catalin Boboc.

In his turn, jurist Ioan Chelaru, Senate Deputy Speaker, showed how during the meeting they also

highlighted Romania's efforts in what concerns the implementation of the new Codes and the

'clarifying' of the legislation that refers to incompatibility.

Collaboration protocol between DNA and the World Bank for cases of fraud and corruption

The National Direction Anticorruption (DNA) signed on Monday a collaboration protocol with the

Integrity Vicepresidency of the World Bank for mutual supply of relevant information regarding the

identification, foundation and prevention of cases of fraud and corruption.

The two institutions commit themselves to cooperate and consult one another on issues of mutual

interest, especially as regards the mutual supply of relevant information and collaboration activities for

the identification, foundation and prevention of cases of fraud and corruption.



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At the same time, there will be designated contact points for the facilitation of efficient transmission

and confidential of information and there will be organised periodical meetings for the identification of

priority domains for mutual cooperation.

The protocol was signed at the headquarters of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on the occasion of

the third meeting of the group of The International Corruption Hunters Alliance, set up in 2010 by the

World Bank and dedicated to the fight against corruption. Integrity Vicepresidency (INT) is an

independent unit of the World Bank whose objectives are the investigation of fraud and corruption

allegations relating to World Bank financed projects and sanction implementation.

ECONOMICS

1. INSCOP: Creating jobs and respect for laws, indicated by Romanians as main priorities

of President

Romanians believe that the President must have as main priorities creating jobs and guaranteeing

respect for the laws and the Constitution, an INSCOP poll remitted shows.

Furthermore, most respondents believe that the President-elect, Klaus Iohannis, will be a different head

of state than Traian Basescu, that he should collaborate with the Government led by Victor Ponta and

that the President and Prime Minister being from different political camps is a positive aspect.

Furthermore, the majority of those interviewed believe that the elections united Romanians and are

pleased with the results of the presidential elections.

As such, according to INSCOP, Romanians believe that the priorities of the President are, in the

following order: creating jobs — 34.1 percent (compared to 32 percent in September), guaranteeing

respect for laws and the Constitution — 31.3 percent (33.6 percent in September), fighting corruption

— 18 percent (18.9 percent three months ago), lead Romania's foreign policy and national security

policy — 10.2 percent (9.2 percent in September), support social protection measures — 4.8 percent

(5.6 percent at the previous poll), and 1.5 percent (0.6 percent in September) don't know or won't

answer.

"We may observe that, even though the measurement in September is made before the elections and

that in December after the elections, there are no significant changes in the list of priorities, so they

were not tied to the public's expectations regarding one candidate or another, but were rather the profile

that Romanians attribute to the post of President", says Darie Cristea, INSCOP project coordinator.



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The poll reveals that the main concerns of Romanians are: diminishing incomes — 23 percent (16

percent — in May, 20.2 percent in February), health status — 20.1 percent (17 percent — May, 15.4 —

February), rising prices — 19 percent (24.5 percent — May, 25.5 — February), job loss — 14.5

percent (22.7 percent — May, 23.8 percent — February), the possibility of conflict in the region — 9.1

percent (9.9 percent — May, 4.1 percent — February), natural disasters — 3.6 percent (2.6 percent —

May, 3.3 — February), other problems — 2.1 percent (3.7 — May, 3.6 — February), damaging of

environment — 1.2 percent (2.4 percent — May, 2.7 percent — February). To this question 0.7 percent

(1.1 percent — May, 1.4 percent — February) responded that they don't know or won't answer.

Furthermore, 74.2 percent of responders believe that the presidential elections have united Romanians,

while 25.8 percent claim the elections have divided them.

The research also shows that 71.7 percent of Romanians state that they are happy with the results of the

presidential elections (percentage of total answers), while 28.3 percent claim the opposite.

Furthermore, 56.9 of those responding believe that it is better for the President and Prime Minister to

be from different political camps, in order to control each other, while 43.1 percent support the

opposite.

The poll reveals that 93.4 percent of Romanians see corruption as a phenomena affecting absolutely all

political parties, while 6.6 percent believe corruption to affect one single party.

The "INSCOP Barometer — Truth about Romania" was carried out by INSCOP Research at the

request of Adevarul daily between November 27 — December 2, 2014. The sample size was of 1,076

persons and is representative for the population of Romania aged 18 and over. The maximum admitted

error is plus/minus 3 percent, at a confidence rating of 95 percent. The method used was of that of the

opinion poll based on a questionnaire filled in by interview operators at the homes of respondents.

The gross minimum salary up to 975 RON as of January 1st 2015

The Government in its Wednesday meeting approved an increase of the gross minimum salary to 975

RON as of January 1st 2015 and to 1,050 RON with July 1st 2015.

"The Gov't through a Decision has endorsed a raise of the gross minimum salary to 975 RON starting

with January 1 2015 and 1,050 RON, respectively, from July 1 2015. Some 1,471,356 public

employees and 982,726 employees from the private sector will benefit from this measure," the Gov't

spokesperson, Corneliu Calota said.

2. Exports hit 44 billion euros at the end of October

Romania's exports hit 44 billion euros at the end of October this year, up 6.8 percent expressed in euro

compared to the same period of the year before, while imports amounted to 48.9 billion euros, 6.2

percent higher compared to the period January - October 2013.



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According to data recently released by the National Statistics Institute (INS), the FOB-CIF trade deficit

for the period January - October 2014 was about 21.55 billion lei (4.85 billion euros), up by 267.2

million lei (35.9 million euros) from the similar period last year.

According to INS, Jan - Oct FOB exports amounted to 195.7 billion lei (44 billion euros) and CIF

imports stood at 217.2 billion lei (48.86 billion euros). Compared to the period January - October 2013,

exports increased by 7.6 percent expressed in lei (6.8 percent in euro) and imports advanced 6.9 percent

expressed in lei (6.2 percent in euro).

Intra-Community (Intra-EU28) trade in the said period amounted to 138.8 billion lei (31.24 billion

euros) for outbound shipments and 163.2 billion lei (36.74 billion euros) for incoming goods,

accounting for 71 percent of total exports and 75.2 percent of total imports, respectively.

Extra-Community (Extra-EU28) exchanges of goods over the ten months totaled 56.8 billion lei (12.8

billion euros) for exports and 53.9 billion lei (12.1 billion) for imports, representing 29 percent of total

exports and 24.8 percent of total imports, respectively.

According to preliminary estimates by the National Statistics Institute, FOB exports amounted to 21.8

billion lei (4.93 billion euros) and CIF imports amounted to 24.3 billion lei (5.5 billion euros).

Compared to October 2013, exports increased 4 percent expressed in lei (4.9 percent in euro) and

imports advanced 2.1 percent expressed in lei (2.9 percent expressed in euro).

Compared to September 2014, October's exports rose 0.6 percent and imports were 2.1 percent higher

expressed both in lei and in euro.

The trade balance deficit (FOB / CIF) this October was 2.5 billion lei (568.6 million euros), by 352.4

million lei (75.9 million euros) less than in October 2013.

3. Agreement in principle with IMF for 1.83pct of GDP budget deficit

Prime Minister Victor Ponta said that there is an agreement in principle with the delegations of the

International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Commission (EC) and the World Bank (WB),

according to which the budget deficit targeted for next year will account for 1.83 per cent of the Gross

Domestic Product (GDP).

"A deficit, which on the one hand answers the desire to show budget strictness (...) and doesn't put too

big pressure on expenses. (...) We shall have a 238 billion RON budget — 255 billion RON revenues

and 13 billion RON deficit. (...) An economic growth of 2.5 per cent of the GDP was taken into account

and accepted," Ponta said at the Victoria Palace. (1 euro trades for cca 4.43 RON)



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The Prime Minister added that "for the European co-financed projects (...) additional sums are

provisioned — 19 billion RON for European projects from the state budget, plus 9 billion RON for the

local authorities."

He also reaffirmed that "the budget cannot be built based on any cuts or additional taxes on 2015."

"The 16 pct flat tax stays put, the tax on special constructions diminishes from 1.5 pct. to 1 pct (...) all

the measures in force, be they of economic stimulation or of social justice, are included in the state

budget — the reinvested profit's tax exemption, the pensions' indexing and the in payment minimum

guaranteed income's growth, the indexing by 16 pct. of the people with disabilities' allowances (...).

Everything that has been endorsed is included in the budget on 2015," the Prime Minister said.

4. Romania, Vice-President on behalf of the Eastern European Group of the Board of

UNIDO

Romania took over as Vice-President on behalf of the Eastern European Group of the Board of the UN

Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); the decision was reached at the 42nd session of the

Industrial Development Board, held in Vienna over Nov. 25 - 27, the Ministry of Economy informed.

The Romanian delegation was headed by Maricel Popa, Secretary of State with the Ministry of

Economy, who welcomed the development of global partnerships designed to explore ways to

implement the re-industrialization process based on competitiveness and innovation, and capable of

generating growth and job creation.

In connection with this, Romania stressed the importance of the social and economic approach in a new

production model based on the development of joint projects that use renewable energy for regional

development.

Romania supports the recent UNIDO initiative for the development of pilot projects in various

countries, with the possibility of translating the agreed model into partnerships with the Republic of

Moldova.

Romania also proposed to host in 2015 the 3rd Regional Conference on Industrial Parks.

5. Romania records an economic growth of 1.8% in Q3

Romania recorded an economic growth of 1.8% in Q3 of this year compared to the previous quarter,

and the first nine months the GDP growth saw a 2.8% growth in unadjusted terms and a 3.1%

seasonally adjusted growth, compared to the same period of 2013, according to the provisional data (1)

released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

Following the revision of the unadjusted terms in line with the 2010 European System of Accounts



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(ESA) and the seasonally adjusted terms, the GDP decreased by 0.4% in Q2 2014 from Q1 2014, and it

rose by 0.7% compared to Q4 2013.

The most important contributions to the GDP growth in the period January 1 to September 30, 2014

compared to the same period in 2013, came from industry (+1.3%), with a 30.3% share in the GDP

formation and whose business volume increased by 4.2%, and the information and communications

sector (+ 0.7%), accounting for 5.2% in the GDP formation and whose business volume went up by

15.3%.

The reduction in construction activity, by 3.1%, had a negative impact on the GDP trend, its

contribution to the GDP growth having been minus 0.2%. Financial brokerage and insurance had also a

negative contribution to the GDP growth (minus 0.1%), due to a decreasing activity volume, by 2.8%

respectively.

6. Industry, agriculture, communications have greatest contribution to GDP growth

The industry, agriculture and communications have made the greatest contribution to the growth of the

gross domestic product (GDP) both in the third quarter and in nine months, the National Institute for

Statistics president Tudorel Andrei told a news conference.

'The first characteristic of the economy in the first quarter relates the industry, accounting for more than

30 percent of GDP. The very good thing is that it has maintained in the last quarters as well. The

industry, both in the third quarter and in the nine months has the greatest contribution to the GDP

growth, namely nearly half the GDP over this period. Likewise agriculture, after having had a negative

contribution in the last half-year, has a positive contribution of 0.2 percent at this moment', Andrei

explained.

According to the Institute chief, the real estate transaction sector maintained its activity, while the

information technology and communications contributed 25 percent of GDP.

'The information and communications sector holds 5 percent of GDP, but it has a significant

contribution to the growth recorded in this period, namely 25 percent. There are two sectors having had

a negative influence on the GDP dynamic, both at the level of the quarter-year and in the nine months:

construction and financial brokerage... In nine months, export dropped by 8.9 percent as compared to

the same period and the imports dropped by 7.8 percent. In this sense, the deficit has narrowed', he

underscored.

The Romanian authorities expect the national economy to grow 2.8 percent this year, even though the

GDP increase anticipated when drafting the 2014 budget is of 2.2 percent. The Romanian economy

expanded 3.5 percent in 2013, one of the highest growth rates in Europe.



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7. Romania becomes co-owner of the International Space Station

Romania has joined European partners in two programmes of the European Space Agency (ESA) of

strategic importance - The International Space Station (ISS) and the development of the Ariane 6

rocket - said Minister-delegate for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological

Development Mihnea Costoiu, in a press release.

The decision was taken by the Ministerial Council of the European Space Agency (ESA) on

Wednesday held in Luxembourg, reads the source.

"Through our country's involvement, we offer to the Romanian space industry the opportunity to join

the race for the development of contracts for components for the European launchers, as well as

development opportunities for the future. The accepting of Romania in this programme, together with

only 11 other Member States, proves that our country already has competitive industrial capabilities",

said Mihnea Costoiu, present at the event, according to the press release.

During the council, the representatives of the 20 ESA member states, among them Romania, have

decided upon the action plans regarding the development of the new European rockets Vega C and

Ariane 6.

Another important decision regarding Romania is its involvement, together with other European states,

in financing the International Space Station. Through the entry into the ESA program dedicated to the

Space Station, Romania becomes co-owner of the Station, together with other European states, as well

as international partners (USA, Canada, Russia and Japan).

"Romania's involvement in these programmes proves that our country's potential in research and

innovation is starting to produce concrete results and that investments in this realm are legitimate and

justified. Today, Romania, a member state of the ESA, is the 12th European country and the 16th

country in the world to own a percentage of the International Space Station, which is both a reason for

pride, but also for trust in the future of the Romanian space industry", said the Minister.

Romania's delegation to the ESA Ministerial Council was completed by State Secretary of the Ministry

of National Education, Tudor Prisecaru, and the Chairman of the Romanian Space Agency (ROSA),

Marius-Ioan Piso.

The member states of the ESA, meeting at a ministerial level in Luxembourg, have reached a

"historical agreement" regarding the building of a new rocket, Ariane 6, that would become functional

starting with 2020, Spanish news agency EFE reports, quoting the ESA announcement.

Europe has convened on a global budget of 8 billion euro over 10 years, for launch rockets. Half of this



15

sum is destined for the Ariane 6 rocket and also comprises the construction of a cosmodrome in

Kourou, in the French Guyana, AFP reports. The purpose of this ambitious project is to keep the pace

with the growing competition in the realm of launch rockets.

SOCIAL

1. Royal House organized a symbolic trip by the royal train on December 1

Princess Margareta and Prince Radu, accompanied by Princess Maria and Prince Nicolae, went on a

symbolic trip by the royal train on December 1, Romania's National Day, to pay homage to the

sovereigns of the Greater Romania, King Ferdinand and Queen Maria of Romania, the Royal House

reports in a press release. At the same time, Peles Castle will host on Saturday an annual ceremony to

honour the diplomatic corps.

According to the schedule of the events unveiled on Friday at Elisabeta Palace, the royal train left

Baneasa Station en route to Sinaia on Saturday at 10:00 am. Also invited to join in the trip are

Archduchess Maria Magdalena of Austria, the daughter of Princess Ileana, and his husband, Baron

Hanns-Ulrich von Holzhausen.

During the trip, Princess Margareta and Prince Radu entertain members of the diplomatic corps, public

life figures as well as elderly and children who were helped under projects conducted by the Princess

Margareta of Romania Foundation.

On Saturday, at 17:00hrs, Princess Margareta and Prince Radu represented King Mihai I at the annual

ceremony honouring the diplomatic corps. King Mihai delivered his first address to the diplomatic

corps accredited in Romania in December 1940.

Attending the ceremony were Princess Maria, Prince Nicolae and the apostolic nuncio.

A message from King Mihai I was read out by Princess Margareta and Prince Radu in English, French,

German, Spanish, Arabic and Czech. The event was held in the Hall of Honour of Peles Castle.

After the ceremony, the diplomatic corps was invited to a diplomatic dinner, a tradition of the

Romanian Royal House since the 20th century. The brass band of the Henri Coanda Air Force

Academy staged a concert.

2. Princess Margareta and Prince Radu welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham

Palace



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Princess Margareta, the elder daughter of ex-sovereign of Romania Michael I and her husband Prince

Radu were welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, King Michael's Press

Office announced in a release.

The meeting at Buckingham Palace was an invitation to tea at 5 p.m., the release added.

Princess Margareta and Prince Radu paid an official visit to London on Dec. 8-10; they were

accompanied by Margareta's nephew Prince Nicholas.

The three Romanian Royal House members were the guests of honour on Monday of the Annual

Banquet in the City of London organised by Guild of Freemen of the City of London, one of the oldest,

most representative and most respected organisations of London municipality, the release announced.

During the official visit to London, the Romanian royals had meetings with representatives of the

economic and diplomatic circles as well as with civil society figures.

This is the 15th visit abroad paid by the Romanian royal family this year, the king's press office

stressed.

3. Unemployment rate in October 2014 estimated at 6.7 per cent

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in October 2014 was estimated at 6.7 per cent, at the same

level as in the previous month (revised), and down by 0.4 percentage points compared to the level

recorded in October 2013, according to the data released on Friday by the National Institute of

Statistics (INS).

The number of the unemployed (aged 15-74) estimated for October this year is 620,000 people, down

from the previous month (623,000 people), and also from the same month a year earlier (653,000

people).

By gender, the unemployment rate for men exceeds by one percentage point that for women (the

respective values being 7.1 per cent in the case of men and 6.1 per cent in the case of women).

For adults (people 25-74), the unemployment rate was estimated at 5.4 per cent for October 2014 (5.7

per cent for men and 4.9 per cent for women).

The number of jobless people aged 25-74 represents 74.5 per cent of the total number of the

unemployed estimated for October 2014.

4. The level of poverty of elders in Romania was reduced to 35% in 2013 (study)



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The level of poverty of senior citizens (over 65) in Romania was reduced from 65% in 2007 to 35% in

2013 but it is almost the double of the EU average, stated Victoria Stoiciu, the representative of the

Friedrich Ebert Romania Foundation when presenting the programme ‘ Romania gets older –

challenges and solutions’.

‘Romania has one of the lowest state pensions in the EU and one of the lowest rate of replacement. In

the latest years, we recorded a series of positive public policies such as the implementation of the

minimum guaranteed pension of 352 lei, pension which was offered to 482,200 people in Q1 of 2014.

The average hourly gain of people over 50 is 2.26 euro, against 1.77euro per hour as the national

average. According to the data of 2013, a youth of 30 got 1.70 euro per hour’ said Victoria Stoiciu.

According to the census of 2011, the share of people over 65 in the Romanian population is 16.1%. An

Eurostat projection shows that in 2050 the rate between active population and old population will reach

over 50%. In the present conditions, the ageing rhythm of the Romanian population will grow at the

same time as birth rate lowers and longevity increases.

The issue of lack of home assistance, the lack of places in the homes for old people as well as the lack

of specialised personnel in the state centres, the high prices for pensioners with diseases who would

like to live in such a centre but in private system, are one some of the aspects presented in the study

made by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

5. OECD: the life expectancy in the EU increased to over 79; in Romania is under 75

The life expectancy increased significantly since the 90’s in the European Union at over 79 but there

are disparities between countries, an annual report regarding the health in Europe published by the

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), relates AFP. On average, in the 28

member states of the EU, life expectancy at birth was of 79.2 in 2012 with 5.1 years more than in 1990.

The increase is explained mainly by the significant reduction of mortality due to cardiovascular

diseases, especially to people between 50 and 65, OECD explained.

Spain (which has life expectancy of 82.5), Italy (82.4) and France (82.1) are European countries with

the highest life expectancy. The countries in Eastern Europe and the Baltic ones are at the bottom of the

ranking: life expectancy is under 75 in Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia or Lithuania, the report says.

However, in this region, some countries have recorded progress, as in the case of Estonia where life

expectancy has increased by seven years since 1990 and the Czech Republic (6.6).In other cases there

was a little improvement :in Lithuania and Bulgaria, the life expectancy increased by 3 years between

1992 and 2012.



18

Life expectancy for women is superior to that of males in the EU ( 82.2 in 2012 for women, against

76.1 for males) even if the difference between the sexes as regards the life expectancy was slightly

reduced, from 7.2 in 1990 to 6.1 in 2012.

Cardiovascular diseases (among which stroke and heart attack) are the main cause for mortality in

Europe: they represent 40% of the decease causes in 2011 followed by cancer (24% of the deceases).

The level of mortality due to cancer was stable or increased in the Baltic countries and several

countries in Central and Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Macedonia).

6. Survey: Presidency, Army, Church and the EU lead charts on people's trust in public

institutions

The Presidency takes the top spot in the charts showing trust in political institutions, the Army leads the

charts of executive institutions, the social and private institutions chart is led by the Church, while the

European Union enjoys most trust in the realm of international institutions, according to a poll

conducted by INSCOP Research on the orders of daily newspaper Adevarul.

The poll indicates the fact that the presidential elections had a strong impact on the trust placed by

Romanians in institutions, a large part of them suffering significant evolutions or involutions when

compared to the measurements taken in October.

The trust figures for December 2014 indicate the fact that in the political institutions category, the

Presidency takes the top spot with 43.9 percent high and very high trust, compared to 17.8 percent

recorded in October 2014.

Following, in the category, are Town Halls — 37.9 percent (42.7 percent in October 2014), the

Constitutional Court — 36.4 percent (33.5 percent in October), County Councils — 26 percent (29.7

percent in October), Government — 25.5 percent (27 percent in October), Parliament — 19.7 percent

(16.8 percent in October), and political parties — 12 percent (10.9 percent in October).

The fact that the Presidency is the institution that benefits from such a powerful increase is absolutely

normal given the trust investment made by the public in the winner of the elections, who was at the first

presence both as a candidate to the highest position in the state, and as president, INSCOP claims in its

interpretation.

The Army leads the hierarchy of trust in executive institutions with 76.1 percent (69.2 percent in

October).

Following, in the charts, are the Gendarmerie — with 65.3 percent high and very high trust (60.3

percent in October), the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) — 55.8 percent (48.3 percent in

October), the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) — 52.6 (48.2 percent in October), the Police —



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51.4 percent (47 percent in October), the National Bank of Romania — 51.3 percent (49.6 percent in

October), the Foreign Intelligence Service — 46.8 percent (45.9 percent in October) and the National

Integrity Agency (ANI) — 39.2 percent, compared to 37 percent in October 2014.

"All the institutions in the list have recorded increases since the previous measurement. The changes

are a consequence of public perception due to the fact that recently the judiciary was very active — the

most significant increases are related to the institutions with attributes in one way or another to the

realm of anti-corruption or tangent to the realm: DNA, SRI, the Police, and ANI. The Army and

Gendarmerie also benefit from significant increases in trust. In the case of the Army we may note an

absolute record, the first breaking of the 70 percent barrier and with a considerable margin at 76.1

percent high and very high trust", INSCOP says in its interpretation of the results.

The Church dominates the charts of public trust in social or private institutions in the month of

December 2014 with 60.6 percent high and very high trust, compared to 62.4 percent in October. The

following spots are taken up by universities — 43.8 percent (40.3 percent in October), press — 32.5

percent (37.4 percent in October), civil society organizations — 28.6 percent (27.4 percent in October),

companies — 21.8 percent (20 percent in October), trade unions — 18.7 percent (22.4 percent in

October) and banks — 17 percent, compared to 18.7 percent in October.

In what regards international institutions, the top spot in the trust ratings is taken by the European

Union, with 56.6 (48.8 percent in October).

Following it are NATO — 54.6 percent (51.7 percent in October), the UN — 51.6 percent (49.2

percent in October), the European Commission — 50.8 percent (45.2 percent in October), the European

Parliament — 50.8 percent (45.1 percent in October), the World Bank — 39.8 percent (36.1 percent in

October), and the IMF with 30 percent, compared to 28.7 percent in October.

The INSCOP analysis shows that the significant change, in relation to the charts of October, comes in

the form of the EU's moving from 3rd to 1st in the hierarchy, with a record increase of eight percent,

and also notes the significant increases in the trust ratings of the European Commission and of the

European Parliament.

The "INSCOP Barometer — Truth about Romania" was carried out by INSCOP Research at the

request of Adevarul daily between November 27 — December 2, 2014. The sample size was of 1,076

persons and is representative for the population of Romania aged 18 and over. The maximum admitted

error is plus/minus 3 percent, at a confidence rating of 95 percent. The method used was of that of the

opinion poll based on a questionnaire filled in by interview operators at the homes of respondents

CULTURE



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1. Over 250 companies from Romania and abroad at the Gift Fair – Bucharest Christmas

Shopping in Romexpo

The Romanians have starting with 1 December the biggest gift fair in the country Bucharest Christmas

Shopping which is organised at Romexpo until 21 December.

Over 250 companies in Romania, Italy, Kenya, the UK, Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden will

exhibit products specific for the period of winter holidays on a surface of 11.000 square metres.

Hosted in the Central Hall as well as on exterior platforms, the fair is more than an event dedicted to

shopping. The fair combines acquisition of goods and fun, as numerous opportunities for entertainment

are offered to the visitors every day. Concerts, dancing and theatre moments, competitions and creation

workshops will be at the disposal of the inhabitants of Bucharest for a period of three weeks.

The first edition of Bucharest Christmas shopping is organised by Romexpo and LP Development in

partnership with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Romania.

Visiting hours will be from 1 December to 18 December from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m and in the period of 19

to 21 December between 12::00 and 2:00 a.m. Entrance is free of charge.

2. Savarsin Castle, where the Royal Family spends the Winter Holidays

The rural town of Savarsin, located 87 kilometers from the city of Arad and almost the same distance

from the city of Deva on National Highway 7, lies at the foot of Metaliferi Mountains, where they join

the Mures riverside.

A medium-sized community of 3,290 locals according to the last census, Savarsin is nevertheless

famous thanks to the Castle belonging to the Romanian Royal House. It lies near the entry to the rural

town when coming from Deva and is located in the middle of a wonderful dendrology park.

"For Savarsin locals, it is a special feeling that they are village fellows, if one may say so, with King

Michael I and with the other members of the Royal House", said rural town mayor Ioan Vodicean, who

proudly calls himself 'The King's Mayor'.

He explained that the first record of the name of Zawasyn dates back to 1479, in a chancellery

transcription of a royal notary. After the end of the Ottoman rule (1699), a salt office was set up in the

area and after 1718, the year when the region of Banat was annexed to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire,

the community that will be later named Savarsin was bestowed the rank of a market town (oppidum),

thanks to the economic development and the surge in the number of locals.

Vodicean explained that in mid-18th century, at the center of the estate on which the current Royal

Castle lies, there was a building raised in western baroque style (dating from 1680), that belonged to



21

the local lord named Edelspacher.

The rural town gets the name of Soborszin in 1760 (from the Hungarian words soo - salt, bor - wine,

szin - barn).

After having been set on fire in November 1784 by the peasants in the uprise led by Horia, Closca and

Crisan, and needed being restored from the foundations, the castle had various owners, till 1858 when

it became the possession of Leopold Nadasdy, the one who re-built it in its present form in 1860.

It was Leopold Nadasdy as well who built a clever system of underground networks for the collection

of the underground waters and springs and brought a specialist to rearrange the park, which was

finalised in 1876; the estate then covered around 500 hectares, most of it being forests.

In 1941, following an exchange of properties, the Castle becomes the property of Mocioni - Starcea

family, who prepared the Castle for "Crown weekends"; in 1943, the Castle became the property of

King Michael I, who was the king of Romania at that time.

After the communist-era nationalization, Savarsin Castle successively was a hospital of internal

diseases, a tuberculosis sanatorium and nervous disorders sanatorium and in 1967 communist dictator

Nicolae Ceausescu decided to turn it into a Guest House - a residence for heads of state, allotting more

than 50 million lei for capital repair. Nevertheless, in spite of the huge spending and investments into

the Castle, Ceausescu visited it only twice - in 1969 and 1979.

After the 1989 Revolution, Savarsin Castle together with the surrounding park covering a total 16

hectares was turned to the Public Company for the Administration of the State Protocol Patrimony,

which did everything it could to maintain it.

In the ensuing years, the Castle became one of the most interesting tourist attractions of Arad county.

Those willing to spend a night in the Ceausescu's bedroom could do so, since the Castle offered

excellent accommodation in seven studios and three suites; festive dinners could also be organized.

Since 2001, after Savarsin Castle was returned to King Michael, the Castle can no longer be visited, but

only admired by the tourists from a distance. Yet, on certain occasions, the Royal Estate gates open

wide and the beautiful building can be seen from a closer distance.

"Traditionally, the Royal Family spends the Winter Holidays at Savarsin, on which occasion many

groups come to sing carols to the former sovereign. The carol singers come from the nearby villages,

but also from other communities in Arad county as well as from the counties of Alba, Hunedoara and

Timis. Also, on Christmas Day, the family members use to take part in the religious service at the

Orthodox church in Savarsin. Also at Christmas, the Royal Family members offer gifts to needy



22

families in this rural town. Another occasion on which the Castle gates open is the awards festivity of

Dorel Sibii National Literature Festival held at Savarsin every year", mayor Ioan Vodicean said.

3. Maramures wooden churches, in the famous UNESCO World Heritage List

Wooden churches, some of which are more than 400 years old, built by folk masters and spread along

villages in Maramures, are among the most visited tourist landmarks, and eight of them are on the

famous UNESCO World Heritage List, along with the Merry Cemetery of Sapanta.

'The wooden churches are genuine rural architecture monuments that define the identity or archaic

Maramures, but I believe these wooden churches have become for years a brand of the county. The

wooden churches catch the eyes of the travellers for its svelteness, supple shape and high wooden

belfries that rise like arrows to the skies. All these small churches were built of wood hundreds of years

ago and some of them are still used for church services on important feasts. They represent the

connection between humans and the strong feeling of religiousness and their purpose on Earth. I am

glad to see that these small wooden churches covered in timber have weathered the ages and continue

to be a landmark in the changing countryside,' says Spokesman for the Christian Orthodox Bishopric of

Maramures and Satmar Cristian Stefan.

The eight wooden churches are located in Surdesti, Rogoz, Poienile Izei, Plopis, Ieud Deal, Desesti,

Budesti and Barsana.

* The Church of the Holy Paraskeva (Desesti) was built in 1770. Legend has it that in 1717 Tartars

invaded the place and burned down the local church, with the site for the new church having been

chosen by the altar stone, the only piece to have survived the disaster. Villagers allegedly tried to pick

up the altar stone and erect it in various places to build the new church, but every time the stone would

fall. After five unsuccessful attempts, the stone stood in the place where the church is nowadays.

Documents of the church and a text found in the narthex mention that the painting was done in 1780, in

a simple, folklore manner. It is naive painting that depicts the connection between humans and God.

Wooden architecture is part of the traditions of Maramures. Wood joints, architectural balance and

harmony, an impression of simplicity and elegance betray an intimate knowledge of the art of wood.

On closer inspection, the beams located in the upper part of the church sustaining the roof that

continues as sculpted stairs provide a note of originality, setting it apart from the classical wooden

churches. At the same time, the cemetery of the church has tens of Celtic stone crosses. The church is

located on national road DN18 that connect together the cities of Baia Mare and Sighetu Marmatiei.

* The Church of Saint Nicholas (Budesti) was built in 1643. The church is built of thick wooden beams

placed on a massive river stone base. On display inside the church are a chainmail shirt and headgear of

outlaw Pintea Viteazul, about whom legend says bring them here himself.



23

The interior painting was done in warm, bright colours that are well harmonised to impart a certain

charm. The religious theme drawings were done most likely in 1762 by Alexandru Ponehalschi and are

visible only on the western side of the walls all the way to the altar. Well preserved in the church are

17th century wooden and glass icons, and one of the most important ones depicts St. John the Baptist.

The wooden church of Budesti is distinguished by four pinnacles at the base of the spire, quite a rare

thing about the churches of Maramures.

* The Church of the Holy Archangels of Plopis, the birthplace of incumbent Christian Orthodox Bishop

of Maramures and Satmar Iustinian Chira, was built by the locals in 1798- 1811 to replace an older

church. A document found in the leg of the holy table, along with 49 coins, mentions that the church

was built with support from every family of the village.

The church of Plopis is peculiar for its modest sizes: it is just 17 m long, 7 m broad and 47 m tall,

which, according to historians with the Maramures County Museum of History and Archaeology,

witness a real sense of proportions. The interior painting depicts scenes from the Apocalypse, covering

the entire western wall of the narthex. The church has two distinguished architectural traits: a flat roof

slightly lowered over the sanctuary and upper beams that do not protrude to the outside.

* The Church of the Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple (Barsana) was built in 1720 on a site

known as Podurile Manastirii, the monastery's attics, and translated in 1806 to the Jbar Hill, where is its

standing now. It is the only church on the UNESCO World heritage List to serve a monastery first and

that a parish.

The interior painting meets the rigours of Baroque art and it is considered one of the most valuable

iconographies of Maramures for its deep eschatological and moralising traits and an easy to follow

narration. Legend has it that on the Jbar Hill of Barsana there was a cemetery for plagued people who

would be hastily buried there to prevent the spread of the disease. The church was relocated there

because people were convinced that the victims would sleep their eternal sleep peacefully only after a

church service.

* The church of Ieud Deal is said to have been built in 1634, probably one of the oldest wooden

churches in the land of Maramures. Its painting and iconostas are from the 18th centuries, observing

traditional canons, and they are well preserved. Depicted on the walls of the narthex is the Last

Judgement, in the shape of a fire of the Inferno engulfing all the damned people.

The church also has a valuable collection of 16th-17th century glass icons, most likely brought from

the Nicula Monastery of Cluj County, carpets died in vegetal dyes, church flags and many printings

bearing the signature of famous printer Coresi, including 'Intrebare crestina' ( Christian question) and

15th century 'Apostolul' (The Apostle). Some hundreds of years ago, 'Codicele de la Ieud' (The Ieud



24

Codex) was found in the attic of the church, a highly valuable manuscripts that has church year 6900

printed on the first page that some say dates back to 1391, being considered one of the oldest written

text in Romanian language using the Cyrillic alphabet. There are other researchers who argue the

document should be two centuries younger.

* The Church of the Holy Archangels (Surdesti) was built in 1721 under the careful guidance of master

Toma Macarie. The 72-m high church is considered one of Europe's tallest wooden structures. Built

exclusively of oak wood, the church is remarkable for its double canopy and a portico with two rows of

superposed arcades.

The interior paintings, some on canvass and others on wood, depict scenes from the Old Testament and

the New Testament by the local painter Stefan.

* The Church of the Holy Paraskevi (Poienile Izei) is one of the most spectacular in terms of

architectural features, with a sanctuary based on a square plan, just like in the early times of

Christianity. Its paintings of 1794 approach common themes of traditional iconography. Conspicuous

among them is a big-size Last Judgment painting and a comical painting of a Christian sleeping

through the church service in a bed with the Devil playing the violin for him beside him.

* The Church of the Holy Archangels (Rogoz) was built in 1663 with support from the locals. It is

characterised by a recessed heptagonal sanctuary, a polygonal narthex, a southern entrance, and a large

asymmetrical roof. It is also distinctive for its profusion of decorative sculpture. The names of wealthy

families that would provide alms on church holidays are inscribed on the walls. Another distinct feature

is the head of the beams carved in the shape of a horse head, a common feature found at most of the

village houses back then. The interior painting includes archaic Romanian mythology motifs, such as

the Sun, the Moon and the Stars, which hundreds of years later would be found in other Maramures

churches as well.

All the eight churches of Maramures County inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List are visited

by thousands of Romanian and foreign tourists each year who want to learn about local history or

admire painted scenes that reveal the understanding of Christianity in the countryside in very old times.

4. With record-high 33,000 tickets sold, star violinist Andre Rieu announces fourth concert

in Bucharest

Famous Dutch violinist and orchestra leader Andre Rieu, dubbed the "King of Waltz", announced a

fourth concert in Bucharest on June 11, after his previously scheduled three shows in Bucharest next

year saw a record-high number of 33,000 tickets sold, a release informs."With 33,000 tickets sold in

just 15 hours — the fastest selling Andre Rieu event ever — the violinist announces a fourth concert in

Bucharest which will be held on Thursday, June 11," the cited document says.



25

My dear friends from all over Romania, we greet you from the UK, where we are currently on tour. I

learned some great news. I am so happy and eager to come to your wonderful country not just for one,

but for several concerts. Only your joy and enthusiasm have made this possible! We received lots of

requests and we are trying with all our heart to honor them and reward your trust. See you soon! Lots

of love, Andre — the violinist wrote his fans in Romania.

In a recent interview with AGERPRES, he said the decision to come to play in Bucharest was spawned

by the finding that Romanians account for a considerable share of his concert audiences. Andre Rieu

and the Johann Strauss Orchestra will give four concerts in Bucharest's Constitution Square on June 11,

12, 13 and 14.