Thursday, March 27th

President Traian Băsescu calls a CSAŢ emergency meeting

Romanian President Traian Băsescu called an emergency meeting of the country's Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAŢ) on Thursday. Talks are expected to focus on the crisis in Ukraine, cyber security issues along with reports on operations by national security institutions in 2013 and plans for 2014. CSAŢ members are also expected to look into the case of the Cantacuzino Institute in the capital Bucharest accused of producing 400,000 ampules of an anti-flu vaccine breaking current norms in the field. An investigation commissioned by experts of the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that the institution failed to carefully observe and ensure a clean processing due to lack of time. Former health Minister Eugen Nicolăescu called on the country's Intelligence Service (SRI) to investigate the case as he suspected a sabotage, RADIO ROMANIA reported.

Mişu Negriţoiu may be the next ASF president

The current president of the Amsterdam-based ING Bank Group in Romania may become the next president of the country's Financial Surveillance Authority, RADIO ROMANIA reported on Thursday. A former CEO with the ING, Mişu Negriţoiu is currently the president of the ING branch in Romania. Prime Minister Victor Ponta discussed the proposal with National Bank Governor Mugur Isărescu on Wedesday. Mişu Negriţoiu will attend a finance committee hearing in Parliament next Monday as a vote in Parliament is expected on Tuesday. Mr. Negriţoiu is an economist who formerly served as president of the Council for Coordination, Strategy and Reform under former Nicolae Văcăroiu Cabinet before becoming an economic adviser to former Romanian President Ion Iliescu. He was also a deputy of the Romanian southern county of Dolj in Parliament before being replaced by MP Mihai Nicolescu. He left Parliament in 1997 only to become finance manager with the ING. Former ASF chief Dan Radu Ruşanu received a 30-day jail sentence in early March 2014 for his alleged involvement in a corruption case.

4.8 magnitude earthquake rocks Romania's Vrancea county

An earthquake of 4.8 magnitude on Richter scale hit the Romanian eastern county of Vrancea on Wednesday at 10:00 PM. The earthquake was about 200 km deep, according to data released by the country's National Institute for Earth Physics. It was the most powerful earthqake recorded in Vrancea this year. An earthquake of 4.7 magnitude was recorded in January, RADIO ROMANIA reported.

An exhibition of "Romania's Treasures" in China

Romania's Culture Ministry is expected to spend more than 1 million euros (RON 5 million) for an exhibition of "Romania's Treasures" in China. The money will come from the country's reserve fund, RADIO ROMANIA reported on Thursday. The archeological and historical exhibition will include most precious items of the Romanian heritage. The move comes after a similar exhibition of "China's Treasures" was hosted by Romania's National History Museum in the capital Bucharest last year.

Alexandru Danga

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