The European Commission decided on Thursday to send Romania an additional official letter of delay because it did not correctly implement the Directive establishing a framework for Community water policy (Directive 2000/60/EC) and the Council Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) on the authorization and construction of small hydropower plants, reads a press release from the European Commission.Both directives focus on ensuring the quality and quantity of water bodies, preventing and combating pollution and protecting fauna and flora.In 2015, the European Commission sent Romania an official letter of delay regarding the authorization and construction of small hydropower projects in alpine watercourses, affecting three Natura 2000 sites and the water bodies involved. Following several meetings with the Commission, the Romanian authorities assumed several commitments, such as: monitoring the projects that are subject to the infringement procedure, reassessing the damage following the authorization and construction of small hydropower projects, adopting a legal framework regarding the ecological flow and areas prohibited, the modification of authorizations, the transposition of the revised Directive on environmental impact assessment, with a coordinated project evaluation procedure based on the Water Framework Directive, and the adoption of a strategic planning (Energy Strategy).The Romanian authorities partially fulfilled their commitments, but failed to modify the authorizations and implement the measures identified to solve the deterioration of one of the previously identified water bodies. Meanwhile, the third management plan of the hydrographic basin, recently adopted, shows the deterioration of the water body in question (Arges spring, Vidraru accumulation and tributaries). In addition, the evidence available from the studies and monitoring carried out confirms that some micro-hydropower plants have been authorized without the appropriate assessment required by the Habitats Directive. Taking into account the deterioration, it is necessary to remedy the situation as soon as possible, the European Commission considers.
The forecasts made by managers in the second half of 2024, as expressed in the CONFIDEX study, were more pessimistic than the actual economic reality of Romania. The onset of the year, however, marked by surprising events, international geo-political tensions, and the unpredictability of the upcoming presidential elections in Romania, may heighten the caution levels […]
Arval Romania has recently launched Arval Re-Lease, a new service dedicated to the local market focusing on the leasing of used vehicles that have completed an operational leasing contract. Arval Re-Lease is designed to meet the common needs of companies, offering comprehensive solutions to reduce costs associated with vehicle rental, insurance, and maintenance services. Arval […]
Bogdan Crețu’s novel Mai puțin decât dragostea/ Less Than Love is Romania’s nomination for this year’s European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL). The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) recognizes emerging fiction writers from the European Union and beyond. Each year, national juries choose their proposal in a rotating selection of countries participating in the […]
Interim president Ilie Bolojan is attending the European Council in Brussels on Thursday, March 6, to signal Romania’s position in favor of strengthening NATO's European pillar, supporting Ukraine, and increasing defense spending. He also met with several European leaders before the summit, including the next chancellor of Germany. European leaders met in Brussels to discuss […]
Russia carried out 34 hybrid attacks against Romania in 2024, according to a report presented in the Italian Parliament, based on information published by Romanian authorities regarding last year’s annulled presidential elections. On March 3, Italy’s ambassador to Bucharest, Alfred Maria Durande, announced that foreign forces were involved in the 2024 presidential elections in Romania....
Le Bistrot Français, part of the prestigious hospitality associations Relais & Châteaux, has started a collaboration with Chef Tom Meyer, one of the most appreciated French cooks, awarded by the Michelin guide and holding the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France. Starting Monday, March 3, the restaurant’s menu will bear his signature, marking a special […]
