201701-12

Piaa Presei Libere nr. 1,

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Romnia
Tel +4 021 207 61 10
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NEWS OF THE DAY

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Republican John Boehner: Romania has exemplary conduct as NATO me mber and US
ally
Bucharest, Jan 11 /Agerpres/ - Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, John
Boehner, has hailed on Wednesday the exemplary conduct of Romania as a NATO member, US ally
and partner during a meeting with Romania's Ambassador to Washington, George Cristian Maior, a
press release remitted to AGERPRES shows.
Boehner made a visit to the headquarters of the Romanian Embassy in the US together with
former Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, and former Republican congressman Jack Kingston,
presently a member of the transition team of President-elect Donald Trump.
According to the release, the delegation discussed the cooperation priorities of the RomanianAmerican relationship in the context of the nearing inauguration of the future Republican
administration.
The Romanian Ambassador emphasized the most important aspects that define the content of
the strategic partnership between Romania and the United States, insisting on the fact that the element
of trust is primordial in evaluating the perspectives for development of cooperation between the two
countries.
Furthermore, Ambassador Maior has pleaded for the strengthening of the North Atlantic
Alliance through the contribution assumed by each of the member-states, showing that American
support and commitment remain fundamental for the security, stability and prosperity of Europe and
the Euro-Atlantic community.
Furthermore, the American politicians showed that the strength of the Romanian-American
relation is measured through joint cooperation projects, such as the management of the missile
defence system, the efforts to fight terrorism, the maintaining of a high level of expertise in realms
such as energy security and cybernetic security.
The American politicians also stated their belief that, in all these domains, the experience of
cooperation with Romania has reached excellence standards and they underlined the intent to continue
to support the development of economic relations between Romania and the US correlated with the
priorities of the future administration. AGERPRES
ID: 4786211; Data: 2017-01-11 23:15:03; Redactori: pra/pra/pra

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Romanian Police: A2 and A4 highways, DN3 Cobadin-Ostrov segment and 58 county

roads closed
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Road traffic is closed on Thursday morning on the A2 and A4
highways, on one national road - DN3 on the Cobadin-Ostrov segment and on 58 county roads,
according to info sent by the Press Bureau of the Romanian Police General Inspectorate (IGPR).
Furthermore, three county roads in Braila County are restricted for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
AGERPRES
ID: 4786306; Data: 2017-01-12 08:27:14; Redactori: pra/pra

DGPMB: Searches in tax evasion case in constructions and IT; estimated financial
damage - 64 million lei
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Around 200 police officers are carrying out on Thursday 47
house searches in Bucharest and Ilfov, Sibiu, Prahova and Braila counties, in a tax evasion case, in the
constructions and IT domains.
"The data and the evidence assessed in this case lead to the reasonable assumption that during
2009-2016, the suspects, through several firms, registered fictitious goods and serv ices acquisitions,
worth 142,000,000 lei, thus benefiting from illegal tax deductions, the prejudice brought to the state
consolidated budget being estimated at 64,000,000 lei," informs a press release of the General
Directorate of Bucharest Police (DGPMB) sent on Thursday to AGERPRES.
In view of recovering the prejudice, liens were placed on 59 buildings worth 50,000,000 lei
and on 56 bank accounts belonging to the people involved was taken.
A number of 49 people are to be accompanied to hearings at the headquarters of the
Economic Crime Investigation Service of Bucharest's District 1 Police.
The case is dealt with by prosecutors of the Prosecutor's Office of the High Court of
Cassation and Justice. AGERPRES
ID: 4786399; Data: 2017-01-12 09:19:56; Redactori: isc/pra

Industrial production grows by 1.6 pct in first 11 months of last year

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Industrial output was 1.6 pct bigger as a gross series and 0.4
pct bigger as an adjusted series, depending on working days and seasonality, in the first 11 months of
2016, when compared with the similar period of 2015, according to a press release of the National
Institute for Statistics (INS) sent to AGERPRES on Thursday.
During the interval January 1 - November 30, 2016, as compared to the same interval in 2015,
industrial output (as a gross series) was 1.6 pct higher, being supported by the growth of the
manufacturing industry (+2.5 pct).
The mining industry dropped by 16.5 pct while the production and supply of electricity and
heat, gas, steam and air conditioning decreased by 2.0 pct.
Industrial output, as adjusted series, based on number of working days and seasonally
adjusted series, increased by 0.4 pct, as a consequence of the manufacturing industry growth (+3.4
pct).
The mining industry and the production and supply of electricity and heat, gas, steam and air
conditioning dropped by 16.5 pct, respectively by 2.6 pct, mentions INS.
In November 2016, industrial production outgrew the previous month, both as a gross series
and as an adjusted series, depending on the number of working days and seasonality by 1.5 pct,
respectively by 0.6 pct. As compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, production
grew by 5.3 pct as gross series and by 1.5 pct as a seasonally adjusted series. AGERPRES
ID: 4786543; Data: 2017-01-12 10:25:40; Redactori: isc/pra

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Tel +4 021 207 61 10
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Primary and electric ene rgy resources dropped 0.3 pct in first 11 months of 2016
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Primary and electric energy resources decreased by 0.3 pct in
the interval January-November 2016 as compared to the same period of the previous year, shows a
press release of the National Institute for Statistics (INS), sent on Thursday to AGERPRES.
"The main resources of primary energy in the interval January 1 - November 30 of 2016
totaled 30 million tonnes equivalent oil (toe), on the decrease by 89,600 toe as compared to the similar
period of 2015. Domestic production amounted to 18.586 million toe, on the decrease by 1.584
million toe comparing with the same period of last year, and the import was of 11.423 million toe,"
reads the document.
During this period, the electric energy resources amounted to 63.021 million kWh, on the
decrease by 174.1 million kWh, as compared to the corresponding period of 2015.
"Thermo-electric power stations production was of 23.646 billion kWh, a drop of 1.682
billion kWh (-6.6 pct). Hydro-electric plants production was of 18.241 billion kWh, on the rise by
2.78 billion kWh (+18.0 pct), and the output of nuclear-electric plants was of 10.248 billion kWh, on
the decrease by 351.9 million kWh (-3.3 pct). Production from wind farms in the interval January 1 November 30 of 2016 was of 5.710 billion kWh, by 863.4 million kWh lower than the similar period
of the previous year, while the solar energy produced in the photovoltaic installations during this
period was of 1.772 billion kWh, by 142.0 million kWh lower than the corresponding period of
2015," mentions the cited source.
The final consumption of electricity, during this period exceeded 49.955 billion kWh, by 3.7
pct higher than the similar period of 2015.
Public lighting recorded a drop by 1.1 pct and the population's consumption grew by 0.3 pct.
According to INS, the electric energy export exceeded 7.656 billion kWh, by 1.822 billion
kWh lower.
The technological consumption within the networks and plants reached 5.41 billion kWh, by
135.7 million kWh lower. AGERPRES
ID: 4786618; Data: 2017-01-12 11:00:35; Redactori: isc/pra

Turnover in industry rises by 4.4 pct in first 11 months of 2016

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The turnover in industry has risen, on both the internal and
external market, by 4.4 pct in the first 11 months of 2016, compared to the similar period of last year,
due to the growth of the manufacturing industry by 5.5 percent, shows a release of the National
Institute for Statistics (INS) remitted on Thursday to AGERPRES.
"The extractive industry decreased by 28 pct. In the large industrial sectors growth of turnover
was recorded in the following sectors: durable goods industry (+18.4 pct), capital goods industry
(+9.9 pct), the current goods industry (+6.1 pct) and the intermediate goods industry (+0.5 pct).
Decreases were recorded in the energy industry (-14.1 pct), INS says.
In November 2016, the turnover in industry as a total (internal and external market), in
nominal terms, has rose both when compared to the previous month - by 2.8 pct - as well as when
compared to the previous year - by 9.8 pct. AGERPRES
ID: 4786671; Data: 2017-01-12 11:18:27; Redactori: pra/pra

Bucharest Ambulance Service: 1,258 requests in past 24 hours

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - A number of 1,258 requests were made to the Bucharest-Ilfov
Ambulance Service from Wednesday morning at 7:00 to Thursday morning at the same time, the
manager of the institution, Alis Grasu, told AGERPRES

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"Of the 1,258 requests, 708 were Code Red and Code Yellow emergencies. 29 cases were in
public places. They regard homeless people, of these 14 were transported to shelters, eight to
hospitals, and seven were not found at the place where the request was made. They probably saw a
call was made for them and left," the doctor stated.
According to the Ambulance Service manager, a number of 32 persons suffered fractures,
sprains and dislocations, 14 pregnant women were transported to hospital to give birth and 12 persons
suffered concussions due to falls. AGERPRES
ID: 4786703; Data: 2017-01-12 11:32:13; Redactori: pra/pra

Orde rs in manufacturing industry gre w by 7.6 pct in first 11 months of last year
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - New orders in the manufacturing industry grew by 7.6 pct in
the interval between January 1 - November 30 of 2016, as compared to the similar interval of the
previous year, according to a press release of the National Institute for Statistics (INS), sent on
Thursday to AGERPRES.
The growth is due to increases recorded in the capital goods industry (+12.7 pct), the durable
goods industry (+7.3 pct) and the intermediate goods industry (+1.9 pct). The consumer goods
industry held steady.
In November of 2016, new orders in the manufacturing industry, in nominal terms, grew by
7.9 pct compared to November of 2015.
The highest levels of growth were recorded in the durable goods industry orders, by 20 pct,
and in the intermediate goods industry, by 10.7 pct. Orders in the capital goods industry were 6.9 pct
higher and the ones in the consumer goods industry remained at the same level.
At the same time, in November 2016, orders in the manufacturing industry dropped by 1.9 pct
as compared to the previous month, following the drops recorded in the capital goods industry (-4.8
pct), the consumer goods industry and the durable goods industry by 1.5 pct each. The intermediate
goods industry increased by 3.1 pct. AGERPRES
ID: 4786741; Data: 2017-01-12 11:44:25; Redactori: isc/pra

JusMin Iordache: Romania presents all conditions for CVM to be lifted

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Romania presents all conditions so that this year the
Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) be lifted, said, on Thursday, Justice Minister Florin
Iordache.
"I have presented the objectives that Romania left off with in 2006 and showed that Romania
fulfilled those obligations. I showed that Romania made important steps and consolidated important
institutions that guarantee that at this moment the rule of law is very important in Romania. I showed
that Romania, in partnership with the [European] Commission, has consolidated important
institutions. And that, from our point of view, as long as these conditionalities have been fulfilled (...)
given that all these objectives, that Romania had in their 10 years of activity, were fulfilled, at this
time Romania presents all conditions so that this Mechanism be lifted this year," said Florin Iordache
at the end of the meeting had at the Ministry of Justice with a delegation of the European Commission
led by the Deputy Secretary-General of the European Commission, Paraskevi Michou.
The Ministry of Justice added that the CVM was functional and showed the progress that
Romania recorded year after year in the realm of justice.
"This Mechanism, which was functional and which showed, year after year, the progress
Romania is making, proves that at this moment Romania presents sufficient guarantees that
authorities in the judiciary in Romania are working in very good conditions. As long as we have a
coherent legislation, as long as we have good, independent institutions, opinions for and against I can
respect, but I cannot comment upon. (...) We need to say as a state that Romania fulfills at this
4

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moment all conditions and conditionalities for the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism to be
lifted," Iordache stated, when asked how he comments on the statements of Attorney General
Augustin Lazar, according to whom the CVM should be kept for politicians.
The Justice Minister stated that the EC delegation will have meetings with representatives of
the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of
Cassation and Justice, the Superior Council of Magistracy, and with the Minister-Delegate for
European Affairs and several MPs.
Asked if the maintaining of the CVM hinders Romania's plans to join the Schengen Area, the
Justice Minister said: "It's a condition (...), but it hinders us in the sense that it was started for
something, for certain conditionalities and if Romania fulfilled all its tasks that it had in view it's
abnormal for this Mechanism to continue and only in Romania." AGERPRES
ID: 4786768; Data: 2017-01-12 11:57:39; Redactori: pra/pra

Police: A4 highway and more sectors of A2 highway, open to traffic

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Sectors of A2 highway Lehliu - Drajna and Bucharest Fundulea were opened to traffic, in both directions, informs the Press Office of the Inspectorate
General of the Romanian Police (IGPR).
At the same time, A2 highway sector Drajna-Fetesti, between km 105-143, as well as the A4
highway were opened to traffic on Thursday.
The two highway were closed on Tuesday evening, in both directions, due to inclement
weather conditions - Code Orange for snowfalls and blizzard. AGERPRES
ID: 4786785; Data: 2017-01-12 12:07:14; Redactori: isc/pra

JusMin Iordache: Not even Minister should interfere in course of justice

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Justice Minister Florin Iordache, declared on Thursday that it
would mean an interference in the course of justice if he expressed a point of view in the case of
Sebastian Ghita's statements, reminding that at the Prosecutor General's Office there is a case open
regarding the information made public by the former deputy.
"It would be an interference of the Justice Minister in the course of justice. There is a case at
the present moment, there are competent organs that must solve it, and I believe not even the Justice
Minister should interfere with the course of justice," said Iordache, asked about the statements of the
Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader, Liviu Dragnea, regarding his expectations from the Justice
Minister after the media coverage of the "disclosures" made by former deputy Sebastian Ghita.
Liviu Dragnea declared on Wednesday, at private TV broadcaster Antena , that the Justice
Minister should have a say in the case of Sebastian Ghita's allegations in the recordings broadcasted
by the media.
"Let us see what happens in the upcoming period. I believe the Justice Minister must express
his opinion at some point. He must have an opinion, still. (...) One cannot go past these things, it
cannot be disregarded as 'miscellanea'. Is there a fault, isn't there? What if there is too much acting,
too much fiction. It must come out, otherwise all the actors involved will have a big problem.
Confidence in both institutions is suffering and it is not alright. Have you heard Mr. President Klaus
Werner Iohannis expressing a point of view on these topics?," said the PSD leader. AGERPRES
ID: 4786853; Data: 2017-01-12 12:34:59; Redactori: isc/pra

CCR: Law enabling Gove rnment to issue ordinances, constitutional

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Romania's Constitutional Court (CCR) decided on Thursday,
that the law enabling the Government to issue ordinances is constitutional, after rejecting the
5

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constitutionality challenge raised by 88 deputies of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Save Romania
Union (USR) and the People's Movement Party (PMP). AGERPRES
ID: 4786916; Data: 2017-01-12 12:55:29; Redactori: isc/pra

Tennis: Monica Niculescu qualified in semifinals of Hobart WTA tournament

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Romanian tennis player Monica Niculescu qualified on
Thursday to the semifinals of the Hobart WTA tournament (Australia) featuring 226,750 dollars in
prize money, after defeating Japanese player Risa Ozaki, by 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
Niculescu (29 years old, #40 WTA) won in two hours and 4 minutes, ending a difficult match
against an adversary that came from qualifications.
Ozaki (22 years old), 100th in the world ranking, started the round very well and led by 2-0
but then Monica bounced back and reestablished a 2-2 tie. At 3-3, the third seed of the Tasmanian
tournament pushed forward to a break, consolidated afterwards (5-3) when saving two break points.
Ozaki carried out her service (5-4) but Niculescu closed the final set by 6-4, after 63 minutes.
The Romanian benefited from a 9-minute medical break in-between sets.
In the second round, Monica Niculescu dominated the game and took control at 4-0, but
couldn't hold on to the lead until the end and Ozaki gathered point after point, reaching 4-4, with 11
consecutive points of the Japanese (two white games in a row), who had three chances of 5-4.
Niculescu roared back and managed to get the break and closed the match by 6-4.
The Romanian had 23 winners, as compared to her adversary's 12, but also made a lot of
unforced mistakes, 54 (as compared to the 32 of the Asian). It should be noted that Monica had a 93
percent success rate at the first service in the field.
Niculescu ensured a 11,300 dollar check for herself and 110 WTA points and will face off, in
the next to last match, against Ukrainian player, Lesia Tsurenko (27 years old, #71 WTA), who
defeated the American Shelby Rogers in the quarterfinals by 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Monica won the first match with Tsurenko so far, in 2011, in the qualifications for the Indian
Wells, by 6-2, 6-3.
Monica Niculescu holds two Hobart titles, both in doubles' events, in 2012 (teamed with Irina
Begu) and in 2014 (teamed with Klara Koukalova). AGERPRES
ID: 4787046; Data: 2017-01-12 13:45:25; Redactori: isc/pra

PSD's Dragnea: I hail CCR decision; I invite libe rals to building together better life for
Romanians
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Liviu Dragnea,
hailed the decision of the Constitutional Court regarding the law enabling the Government to issue
ordinances during the parliamentary vacation and invited the Liberals to build, together with the
Social Democrat Party (PSD) he leads, a better life for Romanians.
"I hail the decision of the Constitutional Court made today! Once again, it's proven that the
PNL [National Liberal Party] understand to block any project beneficial to Romanians in the name of
a political war they generated. I ask them to understand that the electoral campaign has ended. I invite
them to build together a better life for Romanians and to not block Romania," Dragnea wrote on
Facebook.
Romania's Constitutional Court (CCR) decided on Thursday, that the law enabling the
Government to issue ordinances is constitutional, after rejecting the constitutionality challenge raised
by 88 deputies of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Save Romania Union (USR) and the People's
Movement Party (PMP). AGERPRES
ID: 4787077; Data: 2017-01-12 13:56:45; Redactori: pra/pra

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Euro trades at 4.4938 lei

Bucharest, Jan 11 /Agerpres/ - The exchange rate of the national leu currency resulting from
the quotations announced on Thursday by the banks authorized to operate on the currency market is as
follows:
CURRENCY
SYMBOL
RON
1 Euro
EUR
4.4938
1 US dollar
USD
4.2279
1 Swiss franc
CHF
4.1900
1 British pound
GBP
5.1862
100 Japanese yen
JPY
3.7015
1 Moldovan leu
MDL
0.2120
1 Russian rouble
RUB
0.0713
1 new Turkish lira
TRY
1.1052
1 Chinese renminbi
CNY
0.6130
1 gram of gold
XAU
163.8478
1 SDR
XDR
5.7104
The exchange rates of the currencies included in the list are based on the quotations of the
banking companies authorized to carry out operations on the currency market. This list does not make
it compulsory to use the exchange rates of currencies and gold in actual transactions of currency
exchange and book entries. AGERPRES
ID: 4787085; Data: 2017-01-12 14:00:12; Redactori: isc/pra

PNL: Ordinances must be exceptions and not method to transform Parliament into an
annex of current Governme nt
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The National Liberal Party (PNL) underlines that simple and
emergency ordinances must be exceptions and not a way of transforming Parliament into "an annex"
of the current Executive, after the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) ruled on Thursday in
respect to the Law enabling the Government to issue ordinances.
"The CCR's decision on the Law enabling the Government to issue ordinances offers a clear
response over several suspicions of unconstitutionality that were to be clarified. It was the PNL's duty
and obligation, as an Opposition party to notify such matters which rise question marks in regards to
the violation of the fundamental Law," the PNL release points out.
The Liberals state that the court's decision is to be enforced, not discussed and on this
occasion the Social Democratic Party (PSD) has the opportunity "not to mimic the parliamentary
activity" and "not to invent pretexts for not accomplishing its electoral commitments, but to present
concrete and realistic governmental solutions."
According to the PNL, "the Dragnea-Grindeanu Government" also has the possibility to issue
simple ordinances, besides the emergency ordinances.
"However, simple or emergency ordinances must be exceptions and not a method to
transform Parliament into an annex of the current Government, an issue which the current majority
promoted in the election campaign," the PNL mentions.
Romania's Constitutional Court (CCR) decided on Thursday, that the law enabling the
Government to issue ordinances is constitutional, after rejecting the constitutionality challenge raised
by 88 deputies of the PNL, the Save Romania Union (USR) and the People's Movement Party (PMP).
AGERPRES
ID: 4787228; Data: 2017-01-12 14:49:51; Redactori: rod/paa

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MAE: Melescanu discusses with France's Ambassador EU's challenges

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Melescanu welcomed on
Thursday France's Ambassador to Romania Francois Saint-Paul, on which occasion the two had an
opinion exchange on the bilateral relations and the challenges the European Union is currently facing.
According to a release the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) sent to AGERPRES, the two
officials discussed about the prospects of the Romanian-French relations, as well as the calendar of
the bilateral contacts in the next period, "underscoring the common commitment for strengthening the
privileged bilateral relations and the continuation of implementing the updated roadmap of the
Strategic Partnership in all its dimensions."
At the same time, Melescanu and Saint-Paul also approached the prospects of consolidating
the European project, the Romanian chief diplomat reiterating "the importance of a structured and
consistent Romanian-French coordination on a European level."
During the dialogue, they evoked the excellent collaboration of the sides in preparing the
Romania-France Cultural Season, a complex bilateral cultural programme which will take place
between 1 December 2018 and 30 June 2019, the release also reads. AGERPRES
ID: 4787249; Data: 2017-01-12 15:01:04; Redactori: paa/paa

Eurostat: Romania, among EU states whe re industrial production advances in

November
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Industrial production increased in November 1.6 percent in
the European Union (EU28) and 1.5 percent in the Eurozone (EA19), compared with the previous
month, reveal the data released on Thursday by the European Statistics Office (Eurostat).
The highest increases of industrial production were reported in Ireland (16.3pct), Denmark
(4.6pct) and Croatia (3.7pct), the only declines being registered in Greece and Portugal (oth with
minus 0.9pct).
Romania in November recorded a 0.7pct advance of industrial production compared with the
previous month, after a decline of 0.8pct in October.
In November, compared with the similar period of 2015, industrial production grew 3.1pct in
the EU and 3.2pct in the Eurozone.
The highest advances of industrial production were reported in Ireland (14.6pct), Latvia
(11pct) and Denmark (10.7pct), the only decreases being registered in Malta and Sweden (both with
minus 0.8pct).
Compared with November 2015, Romania registered a 2.7 percent increase of industrial
production, after an annual advance of 2 percent in October. AGERPRES
ID: 4787287; Data: 2017-01-12 15:18:58; Redactori: paa/paa

Registration of new vehicles advances almost 17 percent in 2016

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The number of new vehicles registered in 2016 advanced to
almost 17 percent up to 94,919 units, from 81,162 units registered the previous year, according the
data of the Driving Licences and Car Registrations Directorate (DRPCIV) published on Thursday.
On the other hand, the number of new vehicles registered has increased in December 2016 by
8.89 percent, reaching to almost 12,598 units, compared to the same period in 2015, while the autovehicles rose to 6.77 percent, reported to the same reference period.
According to the DRPCIV in December 2016 depending on the number of registered units,
the most demands targeted the carmakes: Dacia (2,619 units, -9.53 percent compared to December
2015), Volkswagen (892 units, +53.53 percent), Ford (856 units, +18.95 percent), Skoda (762 units, 13.51 percent) and Renault (708 units, 7.76 percent).

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The smallest number of registrations were reported in the following makes: Subaru (nine
units), Smart (five), Alba Romeo and Ford - CNG - Technik (four each), Bentley, Tesla and
SsangYong (three each), Aro (two), DS, Ferrari, Lada and Maserati (a unit each).
Depending on the type of vehicle, in December, the most important growth of registrations
was recorded in mopeds / motorcycles (134 units, +54.02 percent), semi-trailers (267 units, +38.34
percent), trailers (711 units, +20.51 percent), vehicles (9,331, +6.77 percent) and vehicles with special
destination (45 units, +2.27 percent). AGERPRES
ID: 4787292; Data: 2017-01-12 15:22:21; Redactori: rod/paa

PM Grindeanu: Budget law will be sent to Parliame nt around 25 January

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The budget law will be sent to Parliament around 25 January,
Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu announced on Friday.
In this sense, he asked Public Finance Minister Viorel Stefan that he began discussions with
each ministry starting Friday.
"Please (...) start having discussions with each ministry starting tomorrow, schedule them, (...)
on the budget law, so that everything that it entails, and the programmes of each ministry and our
governance programme be included in the budget law and we can keep within what we proposed, so
that somewhere around 23 - 24 - 25 January we send the law to Parliament. This means that starting
tomorrow you shall begin discussions with each ministry," Grindeanu said in the beginning of the
Government meeting. AGERPRES
ID: 4787334; Data: 2017-01-12 15:47:07; Redactori: paa/paa

Traffic on A2 highway resums; between Fundulea and Lehliu traffic is controlled

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The traffic on the A2 highway, Bucharest - Constanta, was
resumed, but between Fundulea and Lehliu the traffic is carried out in a controlled manner, the
National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR) informed on Thursday.
"The traffic resumed on the A2 highway, Bucharest - Constanta, km 12+000 - km 212+000.
We mention that on the road section between Fundulea and Lehliu the traffic is controlled, in convoy,
under the supervision of the Traffic Police," the CNAIR mentions.
The CNAIR adds that the traffic is still running in winter conditions and it is absolutely
necessary that all drivers observe the indications and the recommendations of the Traffic Police, as
well as the restrictions.
Additional information regarding the national road network status can be obtained from the
Dispatch of the CNAIR, by phone 021/264.33.33; 021/9360, accessing the company's website
www.cnadnr.ro or their Facebook and Twitter pages. AGERPRES
ID: 4787410; Data: 2017-01-12 16:12:59; Redactori: rod/paa

HealthMin Bodog: We'll enhance patient's access to medicines, by dissolving health

insurance houses' expert committees
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The Government will dissolve the expert committees within
the county health insurance houses and the National House of Health Insurance (CNAS) in order to
increase the patient's access to medicine since the diagnosis stage, Health Minister Florian Bodog
announced on Thursday in the beginning of the Government meeting.
In this respect, the Government resolution draft is on the Government's Thursday meeting
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In his turn, Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu underscored that the normative act "does justice,"
because it dissolves the specialist committees "which decided to approve or not certain cases."
AGERPRES
ID: 4787463; Data: 2017-01-12 16:27:52; Redactori: paa/paa

IntMin Dan: No blocked highways or national roads; 107 trains canceled and 18 trains
with delays
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Interior Affairs Minister Carmen Dan announced on Thursday
that there are no more blocked highways or national roads, but a number of 107 trains are canceled
and 18 trains have delays of over 60 minutes.
"There are no more blocked persons because of the snow. Starting 13:00 hrs there are no
blocked highways or national roads. Operations are still carried out on 37 county roads from five
counties. All the airports are opened and there are no canceled flights. On four railway lines there are
restrictions and 18 trains have delays of over 60 minutes. Moreover, we have 107 canceled trains. All
the maritime ports are opened. The traffic through all the border-crossing points on rivers on the
Danube is closed because of the ice. There are no border-crossing points on land to be closed. All the
malfunctions of the electrical grid were repaired," Dan stated in the beginning of the Government
meeting.
The Minister also announced that starting 13 January and until 14 January the Code Yellow
for glazed frost will come into force.
"Tomorrow, starting 05:00 in the morning until Saturday at 12:00 hrs, we will be entering
under the Code Yellow for glazed frost. Mixed precipitations with moderate quantities will occur, also
wind and snow will be scattered in mountain regions. This Code Yellow is valid for all the country,
except the eight counties and Bucharest, which were very affected in this period," she added.
AGERPRES
ID: 4787494; Data: 2017-01-12 16:39:00; Redactori: rod/paa

PM Grindeanu: It is important that ANAF function well, so collection level be high

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - It is extremely important that the National Agency for Fiscal
Administration (ANAF) function well, so that the collection level be a high one, Prime Minister Sorin
Grindeanu said Thursday.
"I believe it is extremely important that the ANAF function well, so that the collection level
be a high one. I had read in the morning (...) that the online payments were blocked, they were fixed
in the meanwhile," the PM told Public Finance Minister Viorel Stefan in the beginning of the
Government meeting.
In turn, Finance Minister Stefan announced that a new version of the online payment system
is undergoing tests.
"In respect to the online payment system, there has been an attempt to upgrade the system.
The new version functioned in the test stage. There was an operation blockage, an intervention was
made. Half an hour, an hour ago (...) the payments were resumed on the old programme version,"
Viorel Stefan said. AGERPRES
ID: 4787507; Data: 2017-01-12 16:45:33; Redactori: paa/paa

UPDATE PM Grindeanu: Budget law will be sent to Parliame nt around 25 January

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The budget law will be sent to Parliament around 25 January,
Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu announced on Friday.

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In this sense, he asked Public Finance Minister Viorel Stefan that he began discussions with
each ministry starting Friday.
"Please (...) start having discussions with each ministry starting tomorrow, schedule them, (...)
on the budget law, so that everything that it entails, and the programmes of each ministry and our
governance programme be included in the budget law and we can keep within what we proposed, so
that somewhere around 23 - 24 - 25 January we send the law to Parliament. This means that starting
tomorrow you shall begin discussions with each ministry," Grindeanu said in the beginning of the
Government meeting.
According to the Prime Minister, the Government's Thursday meeting agenda includes, in a
first reading, an emergency ordinance draft with impact measures on the budget law.
"On the agenda, we have, in first reading, an emergency ordinance draft, providing measures
with an impact on what the budget law will mean. Such emergency ordinance drafts there will also be
on next week's agenda, so that all the programmes that are included in the governance programme be
reflected in (...) the budget law," Grindeanu also said.
In his turn, Public Finance Minister Viorel Stefan said that the talks on the budget law with
the budget administrators will start Friday at 9:00.
"In respect to the discussions with the budget administrators, tonight we'll communicate all
colleagues the discussion schedule, starting with 9:00 tomorrow morning. We shall continue on
Saturday - Sunday, until we end all talks with each administrator, so that on Sunday afternoon Sunday evening we have a very clear image about the expenditure caps," Viorel Stefan also said.
AGERPRES
ID: 4787539; Data: 2017-01-12 16:56:59; Redactori: paa/paa

Transgaz: National gas transmission system unbalanced on Thurs day

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The National Transmission System (SNT) of gas on Thursday
is unbalanced, the gas quantity from the pipelines being under the functioning limit in normal
parameters, according to the data published on the Transgaz website, which is the national
transmission and system operator.
Therefore, the Line Pack indicator, which shows the gas quantity that resides in the system at
a certain moment, was at 14:00 hrs on the level of 34.5 million cubic meters (cm), which indicates an
unbalance in the system.
Transgaz explains, in the chapter titled "SNT's functioning limits", that the optimal state of
the SNT is at the Line Pack value of 41 million cubic metres plus or minus 1 million cubic metres, the
normal state is between 38 and 44 million cubic metres, the unbalanced states are between 33 and 38
million cubic mmetres and if the indicator's value is below 33 million cubic metres or over 46 million
cubic metres that means that there are states of risk.
The Line Pack level indicated an unbalanced state throughout Thursday, recording 36.1
million cubic metres at 06:00 hrs; 35.8 million cubic metres at 08:00 hrs; 35.2 million cubic metres at
10:00 hrs and 34.7 million cubic metres at 12:00 hrs.
Within the Government meeting on Thursday, Energy Minister Toma Petcu stated that in this
period the gas quantity in the pipelines, the Line Pack respectively has maintained in its normal limits
of 38 million cubic metres.
According to him, Romania's gas consumption in this period is estimated to 70 million cubic
metres (per day - e.n.), being ensured in the following way: 28 million cubic metres from the domestic
production, 26 million cubic metres from deposits, 13 million cubic metres from imports and 3
million cubic metres coming from outs ide the national transmission system. AGERPRES
ID: 4787555; Data: 2017-01-12 17:04:57; Redactori: rod/paa

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Tennis: Monica Niculescu qualifies for semifinals in Hobart although claime d

abdominal pains
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Romanian tennis player Monica Niculescu qualified for the
semifinals of the WTA tournament in Hobart (Australia), although she claimed to have abdominal
pains in the event from the quarterfinals with Japanese Risa Ozaki, the website of the competition,
with prizes worth 226,750 USD, informs.
Niculescu (aged 29, WTA's 40) defeated her opponent (WTA's 100th), who came from
qualifications, with a score of 6-4, 6-4, after two hours and 4 minutes, at the end of a difficult game.
Niculescu will play in the semifinals against Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko (aged 27, ranked 71st
in the WTA), who defeated in the quarterfinals the US player Shelby Rogers, with a score of 4-6, 6-4,
6-3.
Monica won the single match she played against Turenko so far, in 2011, for qualifications to
Indian Wells, with a score of 6-2, 6-3.
Monica Niculescu has two titles in Hobart, both of them in doubles, in 2012 (alongside Irina
Begu) and in 2014 (alongsite Klara Koukalova). AGERPRES
ID: 4787588; Data: 2017-01-12 17:23:03; Redactori: rod/paa

EC Deputy Secretary-General: CVM not to be lifted this year

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) will not
be lifted this year, European Commission Deputy Secretary-General Paraskevi Michou said in
Bucharest on Thursday.
"We are now going to present the report on 2016 and we agreed to cooperate for the next
stage of next year, but it [the CVM lifting] won't happen this year, the report is already prepared. The
next steps depend on what I have said. I have come here to send the message that we want a close
cooperation to come out from under the CVM, but this depends on the Government's, Parliament's
work, on fulfilling all established criteria, for reforms to be sustainable and not reversible. I believe
that we agree that we must work together to reach this goal," Paraskevi Michou said after a meeting
with Parliament representatives.
She pointed out she has come to meet the new Government and the new Parliament, as well
as to convey that the CVM report will be most likely completed this month.
"I haven't come for conclusions, I have come right now to see the new Government, the new
Parliament, it is very recent. As you know, we are in the process of completing the CVM report and I
have come to convey that the report will be concluded most likely this month. I have come here to say
that we need to continue the progresses," Paraskevi Michou added.
The European official underscored that the CVM completion depends on Romania's
Government and on Parliament.
"As you know, this year we'll take a look at the past 10 years - at the good and bad things that
happened, the progresses made, but we need the progresses to continue and I have said that we must
work together. What the Commission and President Junker would want to see is for us to work for
concluding the CVM, but this is up to Romania's Government and Parliament in speeding up, in going
to the right direction and not the reversible one, in always moving forward and not backwards," the
EC official added.
Asked if the CVM report is only positive, she mentioned there are also progresses, as well as
backsteps.
"No. When I said progresses made over the past ten years I referred to the institutions we saw
built, to the structures already incorporated in the system. We have also seen in these ten years
backsteps, and this is what we want to avoid in the future. I cannot tell you now how the report will
look like, because it is not completed, but when I look at the past ten years, in some areas there are
very high progresses, in other areas there are progresses, in a few areas there could be backsteps, and
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we are trying to make available the instruments to go in the progress direction," the European
Commission Deputy-Secretary General underscored.
Judicial committees of the Deputies' Chamber and Senate heads Eugen Nicolicea and Serban
Nicolae, as well as Chamber Vice President Rovana Plumb participated in the meeting with Paraskevi
Michou.
The European Commission Deputy-Secretary General has met Thursday morning with Justice
Minister Florin Iordache. He said that Romania presents all requirements for the Cooperation and
Verification Mechanism to be concluded in 2017. AGERPRES
ID: 4787631; Data: 2017-01-12 17:47:01; Redactori: paa/paa

Energy Ministry: No problems with gas trans mission system functioning

Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - The indicator's value which shows the gas quantity that
resides in the system at a certain moment has declined following a technical decision meant to offer
Romgaz the possibility to increase the extraction capacity from the deposits and there are no problems
with the functioning of the gas transmission system, representatives of the Energy Ministry stated for
AGERPRES.
"There are no problems with the gas transmission system functioning. Furthermore, in the
upcoming period the indicator's level will increase," the Ministry's representatives said.
The National Transmission System (SNT) of gas on Thursday is unbalanced, the gas quantity
from the pipelines being under the functioning limit in normal parameters, according to the data
published on the Transgaz website, which is the national transmission and system operator.
Therefore, the Line Pack indicator, which shows the gas quantity that resides in the system at
a certain moment, was at 16:00 hrs on the level of 34.4 million cubic meters (cm), which indicates an
unbalance in the system.
Transgaz explains, in the chapter titled "SNT's functioning limits", that the optimal state of
the SNT is at the Line Pack value of 41 million cubic meters plus or minus 1 million cubic meters, the
normal state is between 38 and 44 million cubic meters, the unbalanced states are between 33 and 38
million cubic meters and if the indicator's value is below 33 million cubic meters or over 46 million
cubic meters that means that there are states of risk.
The Line Pack level indicated an unbalanced state throughout Thursday, recording 36.1
million cubic meters at 06:00 hrs; 35.8 million cubic meters at 08:00 hrs; 35.2 million cubic meters at
10:00 hrs and 34.7 million cubic meters at 12:00 hrs and 34.5 million cubic meters at 14:00 hrs.
Within the Government meeting on Thursday, Energy Minister Toma Petcu stated that in this
period the gas quantity in the pipelines, the Line Pack respectively has maintained in its normal limits
of 38 million cubic meters.
According to him, Romania's gas consumption in this period is estimated to 70 million cubic
meters (per day - e.n.), being ensured in the following way: 28 million cubic meters from the domestic
production, 26 million cubic meters from deposits, 13 million cubic meters from imports and 3
million cubic meters coming from outside the national transmission system. AGERPRES
ID: 4787685; Data: 2017-01-12 18:09:07; Redactori: rod/paa

SRI: Check-up committee following information in public space; Coldea at SRI's

Director disposal
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - Director of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) Eduard
Hellvig decided on Thursday to create a special committee following the information which appeared
in public referring to General Florian Coldea and until the checks are complete Coldea is placed at the
SRI's Director disposal, a release of the institution informs.

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According to the quoted source, General Coldea's duties will be taken over by Eduard
Hellvig. AGERPRES
ID: 4787750; Data: 2017-01-12 18:35:14; Redactori: rod/paa

Englis h Service Team, January 12, 2017

Editor-in-chief Razvan-Adrian Pandea (pra)
Editors
Simona Iacob (isc)
Rodica Ionita (rod)
Adina Panaitescu (paa)

Secretary
Atena Alexe Timocicu (ate)
AGERPRES
ID: 4787837; Data: 2017-01-12 20:10:18; Redactori: paa/paa

State Secretary Micula we lcomes Ambassador of Republic of South Africa, on ending

her diplomatic mission in Romania
Bucharest, Jan 12 /Agerpres/ - State Secretary Victor Micula welcomed on Thursday
Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Romania Thenjiwe Ethel Mtintso, at the end of her
diplomatic mission.
Within the meeting, the two officials have reviewed the stage and prospects of the relations
between Romania and the Republic of South Africa, having underlined the progresses recorded and
the positive trends both in respect to the diplomatic - political relations, as well as in regards to the
economic cooperation and the one in different sectorial areas, a release of the Foreign Affairs
Ministry (MAE) sent to AGERPRES informs.
In this regard, it was evoked the need of enhancing the dialogue on a higher level, based on
the Consultation Protocol between Romania's and the Republic of South Africa's Government, signed
in New York, in September 2016. Furthermore, it was expressed the common desire to continue
stimulating investments and commercial exchanges between the two countries, based on the positive
developments recorded in the past years, which led to a significant growth of commercial exchange
volumes that were marked by the increasingly substantial presence of the South-African companies on
the Romania market.
Both sides highlighted the special importance of cultural events, of cooperation in the
education area and all forms of cooperation which led to the strengthening of inter-human relations,
significantly contributing to a better mutual understanding and closeness.
Moreover, also tackled were the problems regarding the cooperation in a multilateral
framework, with an emphasis on promoting methods of common projects within the United Nations
(UN) system.
At the end of the meeting State Secretary in the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) Victor
Micula profoundly thanked Ambassador Thenjiwe Ethel Mtintso for her entire activity carried out
during her mandate in Bucharest and wished her good luck in her future activity. AGERPRES
ID: 4787872; Data: 2017-01-12 19:47:17; Redactori: rod/paa

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