The Romanian Government is trying to persuade the European Commission to include the recipe for the famous Romanian traditional “mici”, namely grilled mincemeat rolls, on the list of traditional products. The decision follows after the Romanian Meat Association filed a request towards that end. The Commission had previously decided that this type of food should be prepared according to a different recipe starting June 1st. This is also the date when the new list of banned food additives should come into effect. The list also includes the sodium carbonate, but also a preservative and an antioxidant agent. Other traditional products such as the burger or the Spanish chorizo are exempted from this rule.

Romanians rank among Europe’s most confident citizens in what regards the economic recovery of their country. Romanians’ optimism is surpassed only by the confidence of Germans and Austrians when it comes to trusting in the economic future of their own country. In another development, a study conducted by the Romanian Institute for Evaluation and Strategy shows that financial prospects on Easter-related spending are finally looking up for Romanians, for the first time in the last four years. At the same time the number of Romanians who think that their budget for the upcoming holiday is being affected by the economic crisis is lower as compared to previous years.

The European Central Bank on Thursday lowered its monetary policy interest rate by 0.25% down to a record low of 0.5% in an attempt to invigorate the economy of the Eurozone, currently faced with a new economic downturn. Eurostat figures made public on Tuesday show that unemployment in the Eurozone has hit a record high, while inflation now has the highest rating in the past three years. The National Bank of Romania has decided to maintain the monetary policy interest rate at 5.25% per year.

Romania is ranking last among the EU countries in terms of freedom of the press, shows the annual report of the well-known Freedom House organization. According to the FH report published in Washington, in some EU countries like Greece, Spain and Italy the freedom of the press has been seriously affected by the economic crisis. Out of all the 200 states and territories mentioned in the report, Norway and Sweden are faring the best, followed by Belgium and Finland. The FH report has been based on legislative, political and economic criteria.