The price of gas, "unchanged in 2012"

Gas price will not increase this year, but in 2013, but so far it has not been set up a percentage in this respect, said, on Saturday, the designate Economy Minister, Daniel Chiţoiu, after the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, The World Bank and the European Commission, from the headquarters of the National Bank of Romania.

“This year will not be increases in gas, but from 2013 the price will rise, yet it has still not fixed the percentage.

“ Technical experts and experts on financial institutions are going to set up this by Sunday, May 6, 2012”, Daniel Chiţoiu said.

Asked at what stage is the process of privatization of Copper Min, Daniel Chiţoiu specified that the whole reassessment procedure will be resumed, after the Ministry of Environment and Forests will give the specific permit.

The designate Minister added that regarding Oltchim if one can speak on completion of the privatization process in late September 2012.

“The auction Copper Min will be resumed after the Ministry of Environment will give the environmental permit. Within four months, we must have retaken and completed. Re-evaluation of the Copper Min will be safe, after receiving the environmental permit.

Hidroelectrica contracts, “renegotiated in 10 days "

Hidroelectrica contracts will be renegotiated within 10 days, tracking to be modified the prices, quantities and timelines, also said the designate Economy Minister, Daniel Chiţoiu, quoted by Agerpres.

For contracts with the ' smart boys ' we are committed that within ten days, a renegotiation should take place, and then to inform the International Monetary Fund, The European Commission and the World Bank.

“There will be changed all three elements: price , quantity and time limits included in the contracts”, said Daniel Chitoiu.

The joint mission of the International Monetary Fund, The European Commission and the World Bank continue on Saturday, the discussions at the National Bank, with the members of the future Cabinet led by the designate Prime Minister, Victor Ponta, and central bank officials .

Discussions cover the memorandum of economic policies and the letter of intent to the Fund.

The main topic of talks on Saturday refers to the "reunification salaries in budgetary sector and pensions”.

The agreement between Romania and the IMF began on March 31 2011and is a preventive one, amounting to 3.6 billion euros.

Translated by Anamaria Petrache
MTTLC, Bucharest University