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10. 09. 10. - 14:00

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10. 09. 10. - 14:00

Eric Besson: There is no competition between France and Romania

Romanian Times

French Immigration minister, Eric Besson, said yesterday (Thurs), during his visit to Bucharest, that there was "no competition" between France and Romania.

Besson said there was a "constructive and positive" work day in Bucharest, where French officials had talks with Romanian authorities about the social reinsertion of Roma people.

French state secretary for European Affairs, Pierre Lellouche, replied there is no connection between Romania's accession to the Schengen Area and the Roma problems. Previous press reports implied France would oppose Romania's accession due to the Roma immigration problems. Romania has a target date of 27 March 2011 for joining the Schengen Zone.

France dismantled illegal Roma camps last month and sent back around 1,000 Roma people to Romania.

The European Parliament condemned the French president's policy saying it expresses "deep concern at the measures taken by the French authorities and other member states’ authorities targeting Roma and travellers" and urged them "immediately to suspend all expulsions of Roma".

The MEPs stressed that "mass expulsions are prohibited" under EU law because "they amount to discrimination on the basis of race and ethnicity". The parliament also said it "deeply deplores the late and limited response" by the European Commission over the deportations, and criticised "inflammatory and openly discriminatory rhetoric" against Roma.

Romanian Foreign Affairs minister, Teodor Baconschi, said Romania "assumes its responsibility very clearly towards its citizens, but we do not consider the Roma minority problem in Europe to be an exclusively Romanian problem."

The Romanian Foreign Affairs ministry issued a statement saying the cooperation to fight crime will be strengthened by sending another 10 Romanian policemen to France.

Health minister considers taxing fast food and beer
The new Health Minister Vasile Cepoi said today (Thurs) that the next Health Care Law might include a new tax on fast food and beer, local press informs.

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Government to introduce ‘Robin Hood’ tax on oil companies
Minister of Economy Daniel Chitoiu announced today (Weds) that the government is working on a piece of legislation on introducing a supplementary tax on the exceptional incomes of the oil companies that should be passed by the year end and implemented as of 2013.

Education Minister stepps down amid plagiarism accusations
Ioan Mang, the education minister appointed only two weeks ago together with the new cabinet of Social Liberal Union (USL) leader Victor Ponta, resigned Tuesday (yesterday) night.

Brancusi’s son doesn’t want his father remains to be moved to Romania
John Moore, the only child of sculpture Constantin Brancusi, reacted to Romania’s intention to repatriate the remains of his father, saying his last will was to be buried in Paris at Montparnasse, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Weds).

Romania back in recession, growth to resume in H2
Romania officially entered recession today, following the figures published by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) that show a decrease of the GDP for two consecutive quarters (Q).

Police head sacked over underground boss runaway row
The head of the Romanian Police Liviu Popa (picture) was sacked today (Tues) by Home Affairs Minister Ioan Rus, the ministry informs.

UK Ambassador Harris says new Cabinet took right decisions so far
The UK Ambassaodr in Romania, Martin Harris says Victor Ponta’s new government got off on the right foot by making clear that its economic policy will continue to be framed within the programme agreed between Romania and the EU, World Bank, and IMF.

Carmen Sylvas x-rayed hand to be auctioned
A x-ray of the left hand of Romanian Queen Elisabeta will be auctioned in Bucharest by Artmark auction house, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Tue).