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| THE WEEK IN REVIEW 25-31/05/2009 |
| (2009-05-30) |
| Last updated: 2009-05-30 14:04 EET |
The first cases of contamination with the new AH1N1 flu virus have been reported in Romania. The virus has been found in a Romanian-born woman residing in the USA, who came to Bucharest to see her father and a few family members. Health officials have taken measures to prevent people who came in touch with the patients from falling ill and the Border Police have established additional check-ups for people, for means of transportation and for goods entering the country.
The Romanian government has taken a number of measures aimed to protect the population and businesses against the effects of the crisis and to relaunch certain economic sectors. The government has decided on a 15% increase of the minimum guaranteed salary as of July 1st and on the sale of domestic natural gas to enterprises at a smaller price until September 30th, to support the domestic industry. It has also decided to launch the “First House” government programme, enabling those who never had a privately owned house to get a state-guaranteed loan under more favorable conditions, with a down payment of up to only 5% and at 5% VAT. Prime Minister Emil Boc:
“The reaction from banks after the terms were presented has been very good, because the state takes all the risk, guaranteeing a loan of up to 60,000 Euros through the Guarantee Fund, and banks needn’t take any chances now. Under the circumstances, interest rates will obviously be kept below the current market level, so that we may have a successful programme.”
The National Union of Public Notaries has announced that those who will contract a loan under that programme will benefit from a 30% cut in notary costs.
Agriculture Minister Ilie Sarbu has spelled out the strategy for fighting drought in Romania. The phenomenon has already affected over 50% of farm land in 15 counties, especially in the South and West. Sarbu has made it clear that a state of emergency has not been declared yet, and has provided assurances that the prices of bread and foodstuffs will not go up this year. According to Sarbu, the drought will not trigger a wheat crisis because Romania has got fairly big reserves, and even if it is going to be smaller, this year’s production will be enough for domestic consumption. The Minister said that the farmers who want to have their drought afflicted lands irrigated could apply for aid. According to the authorities, in 2009, the irrigated area will cover 700,000 ha, irrigation works being state-funded.
The annual report of Amnesty International made public in London provides an overview of human rights in some 160 countries in 2008. The report denounces the authorities’ lack of measures to combat Roma discrimination in Romania. Amnesty International director for Europe, David Diaz is even afraid that in 2009, an election year, the economic crisis might be used by Romanian politicians to promote populist and discriminatory programmes regarding gypsies. The report also pinpoints cases of excessive use of force and illegal use of guns by the police, as well as discrimination against sexual minorities. Despite the lack of evidence and the authorities’ recurrent dismissal of accusations, the report includes again speculations about Romania having been involved in the US programme of rendition and secret detention of detainees suspected of terrorism.
Until June 7th, two towns in central Romania are hosting two important international cultural events. Sibiu is the venue for the 16th International Theatre Festival, the third biggest in the world, after those in Edinburgh and Avignon. Over 2,000 artists from 70 countries will present 350 events, including theatre and dance shows, exhibitions and street performances, numerous national and international premieres. Also until June 7th, the city of Cluj Napoca is playing host to the 8th Transylvania International Film Festival. Over 900 films from 47 countries will be screened. Film aficionados will be able to see films recently screened at the Cannes Festival, including the Romanian productions “Memories from the Golden Age” by Cristian Mungiu, who got the 2007 Palme d”Or with “ 4 Months, 3 weeks and 2 Days” and “Policeman, Adjective” by Corneliu Porumboiu, which was awarded the FIPRESCI prize of the international film press federation and the jury prize in the “Un certain regard” section.
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2025-04-03
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