ROMANIA IS WINE COUNTRY!GET A TASTE OF ROMANIA’S WORLD-CLASS WINES

A SHINING LIGHT: LEADING ENERGY MARKET REFORM

WELCOME TO ROMANIA:HOME TO ONE OF EUROPE’S OLDEST CIVILISATIONS

This supplement was brought to you by The Copenhagen Post in association

with the Romanian Embassy

ROMANIA

Words don’t come easy?

Learn danish noW

sprogcenterhellerup.dk

Intensive Danish courses in Hellerup and Lyngby

3992_Adshells_1185x1750mm_03.indd 4 08/07/15 15.33

President and Publisher: Ejvind Sandal ● Editor: David Nothling ● Layout: Lyndsay Jensen ● Commercial Director: Hans Hermansen, hans@cphpost.dk,

Tel: +45 2420 2411 ● Picture credit for images: iStock & Romanian Embassy

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR MATEI VIOREL ARDELEANU

EMBASSY SUPPLEMENT

Words don’t come easy?

Learn danish noW

sprogcenterhellerup.dk

Intensive Danish courses in Hellerup and Lyngby

3992_Adshells_1185x1750mm_03.indd 4 08/07/15 15.33

RRelations between Romania and Denmark date back centuries. There are striking similarities between the mythologies of Vikings and Thra-cians who lived in the territories of nowadays Denmark and Romania. However, official dip-lomatic ties between Romania and Denmark were established in the 19th century, after Ro-mania gained its independence in 1877. The first official Danish-Romanian bilateral relations were set in 1879, and in 1934 the first diplomatic offices were mutually established in the capitals of both countries.

In modern times, the relations between our two countries have always been friendly, and our two countries have begun to truly discover each other, aside from the popular Danish figures such as author Hans Christian Andersen, phys-icist Niels Bohr and existentialist philosopher Søren Kierkegaard.

Nowadays, Romanians know more about Danes and are more aware of what is going on in Denmark, and vice versa. We have an interest in Danish design, Denmark’s expertise in renew-able energy and energy efficiency, new Danish technologies in agriculture and the food sector, Danish education and healthcare, as well as eco-transportation using bicycles.

Currently, a significant Romanian communi-ty lives in Denmark, among them hundreds of students, researchers and lecturers, IT engineers and excellent workers in agriculture and servic-es. They form part of a community which is well-integrated within the Danish society.

DOING BUSINESS IN ROMANIA As such, bilateral relations have developed along an ascending trajectory. The value of Romanian products exported in Denmark has reached DKK 1.5 billion, while Danish imports in Romania almost double this value. Accord-ing to 2014 data from the Romanian National Bank, Denmark was placed in 18th position with respect to the extent of its direct investments in Romania, with a total value of DKK 3.5 billion, that is 0,8% of the entire share of foreign direct investments in Romanian markets. However,

we are far from realising the enormous poten-tial of cooperation between our two countries.

Business-wise, the Danish market is among the most friendly in the world, but highly complex, sophisticated and exacting. Romanian compa-nies display an increasing interest in the Danish market and request the support of the Roma-nian Embassy in Copenhagen to facilitate local contacts. Already, there are Romanian com-panies operating in Denmark especially in the transport, construction and services sectors. As for the Romanian market, more than 800 com-panies with Danish capital operate in Romania. At the same time, Danish farmers are well rep-resented in Romania’s agriculture sector.

I believe that the business environment in Ro-mania becomes increasingly friendlier, testified also by figures of foreign direct investments, which reveal a positive trend in the past recent years. Romania’s economy grows by 3.5-4% on a yearly basis, with estimates to surpass the 4% threshold in the short term. These de-velopments place Romania in the top posi-tion among European Union Member States in terms of economic growth. Unemployment is set between 6 and 7%, the budget deficit is below 2%, inflation is negative and public debt accounts for less than 40% of GDP, one of the lowest in the EU.

In 2013, a high level bilateral economic forum was established with the support of Dansk In-dustri. Debates on the framework of the Ro-manian-Danish economic forum have focused on such areas of common interest as: Energy, infrastructure, environmental protection, urban planning and development.

CULTURAL EXCHANGE Through our Embassy in Copenhagen, we make efforts to involve more cultural institutions, public figures and the general audience in our agenda of projects. We aim at being constantly present in the Danish cultural life. I can offer the examples of an outstanding exhibition by 10 Romanian painters from a cultural associ-ation called Fabrica de Pensule (Paintbrush

Factory) based in Cluj, hosted for six months by the Arken Museum of Contemporary Art in Ishøj. Also well-known Danish ballet dancer Jo-han Kobborg is currently the artistic director of the Romanian national Opera Ballet Company and partner of Romania’s world known prima ballerina, Alina Cojocaru. Moreover, next year, the well-known ballet company Danish Dance Theatre will be present in Sibiu, Romania, for one of the most acclaimed international theater festivals in the world.

Romania is also a beautiful tourist destination all year long, offering a variety of attractions for Danish tourists: The Danube Delta, the Re-tezat National Park (the only old growth forest in Europe), medieval citadels in Transylvania, painted churches – part of the UNESCO world heritage, castles, an much more!

I think Romanians can learn from Danes to im-prove their respective activities and record. My ambition is to witness Denmark becoming a hub for Romania’s interests in Northern Europe, while Romania, a similarly important partner for Denmark in South east Europe.

Romania is a country located at the crossroad of central and southeast-

ern Europe, on the Western shores of the Black Sea. Romania shares a

border with Hungary and Serbia to the West, Ukraine and Republic of

Moldova to the Northeast and East, and Bulgaria to the South.

At 238 400 square kilometers, Romania is the ninth largest country of the

European Union (EU) by area, and has the seventh largest population of

the EU, with more than 19 million people.

THE OLDEST EUROPEANS The earliest written evidence of people living in the territory that com-

prises present-day Romania, comes from Herodotus in his Histories (440

BC): The Dacians inhabited Dacia (corresponding to modern day Roma-

nia, Republic of Moldova, Northern Bulgaria and surroundings). 40 000

year old modern human remains were discovered when the Cave with

Bones was uncovered in 2002, the Romanian fossils being among the

oldest remains of Homo sapiens in Europe.

Under the leadership of King Burebista (82 - 44 BC), Dacia became a

powerful state, which threatened the Roman Empire’s interests in the re-

gion. The Dacians were defeated by Emperor Trajan’s army in 106 AD,

and the core of their kingdom

was turned into the province of

Roman Dacia. It was also the

first Roman province to be aban-

doned, around 271 AD.

THE THREE PRINCIPALITIES In the Middle Ages, Romanians

lived in three distinct principal-

ities: Wallachia, Moldavia and

Transylvania. By 1541, the entire

Balkan peninsula and most of

Hungary became Ottoman prov-

inces, while Moldavia, Wallachia

THE HISTORY THAT HAS SHAPED ROMANIA

Home to one of Europe`s oldest civilizations, Roma-nia has a long history that shaped it into a signifi-cant player on the European stage.

EMBASSY SUPPLEMENT

4

Manastirea Barsana

and Transylvania came under Ottoman suzerainty, but preserved full

internal autonomy and, until the 18th century, some external independ-

ence.

Michael the Brave united, for a brief period (in 1600), the three prin-

cipalities. After his death however, the union dissolved. In 1859, peo-

ple’s representatives in both Moldavia and Wallachia elected the same

ruling Prince of the Romanians, Alexandru Ioan Cuza. Thus, Romania

was created. Romania declared its independence from the Ottoman

Empire after the Russian-Turkish War (1877-78) in which it fought on

the Russian side. In 1881, the Romanian principality was raised to king-

dom hood and Prince Carol became King Carol I of Romania.

After World War I, governing bodies created by the Romanians of

Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina chose a union with the King-

dom of Romania. World War II brought the loss of Bessarabia, North-

ern Bukovina and Southern Dobruja, and in 1947, King Michael I was

forced by communists to abdicate and leave the country. Romania

was proclaimed a republic.

The country was under communist rule from 1948 until 1989, when

the regime of Romanian leader Nicolae Ceausescu was overthrown

under auspices of the Romanian Revolution which brought the fall of

Ceausescu and the end of the communist regime. Free elections were

held in 1990.

POST-REVOLUTION ROMANIA Since 1990, deep structural transformations have taken place, trans-

forming Romania into an open society. Romania is now a democracy,

with a free market economy, observing human rights, and attracting

investment. The country is an EU and NATO member state, and over

the years has gradually increased its role in the region.

A large majority of Romanians attribute the freedoms they have to-

day to those won in 1989. Freedom has fed the aspirations, dreams,

development plans and the creativity of the Romanian people since

the fall of communism. Today, Romania is a unitary semi-presidential

republic, in which the executive branch consists of the President and

the Government.

Denmark’s most effective

Danish courses!

www.kiss.dk

Advertisement

Putna

In line with its commitment to an efficient EU policy for security and

defense, Romania is among the 5 largest contributors to the EU civilian mis-

sions. At the same time, Romania has promoted within the EU the Black Sea

Synergy, aiming at economically developing the Black Sea area. Romania

and Austria have promoted in partnership an EU strategy for the develop-

ment of the Danube area which will allow a recovery of the region from all

points of view – environmental, economic, social and so on. At the same time,

Romania offers official development assistance for countries in the region.

Its priorities are Republic of Moldova, Arab Republic of Egypt and Georgia.

A DIVERSE PEOPLE Multiculturalism is truly alive in Romania. It em-

braces cultural variety and pluralism, and the

cultural identities of Romania’s minority com-

munities. Cultural borrowing, the intermingling

of customs, continuous competition between

Romanian, Transylvanian Saxon, Hungarian

and other influences inform everyday life in Ro-

mania.

If you visit Transylvania, you will witness how

closely Romanians’ houses resemble those of

Transylvanian Saxons and Hungarians, each

one more charming than the last. Visit Dobro-

gea and you can sample Turkish baklava in Ro-

manian pastry shops, while in southern Roma-

nia tasty meatballs are customary fare.

Proud of their traditions, Romanians welcome

guests warmly, inviting them into their homes,

offering them the finest dishes they can pre-

pare, singing them beautiful folk songs and

even inviting them to dance. When you visit Ro-

mania, you will delight in discovering a place

that is alive with legends, myths and traditions

which have been cherished over centuries. Few

countries in the world have preserved so many

customs or have such love for their folk music

and dancing.

It is impossible to enter a Romanian household

and not be offered whatever food the hosts

have on the table, or a glass of wine or rachiu

(tuica) – a traditional type of brandy. Romani-

an cuisine has countless culinary customs and

traditions, which use both foods specific to the

region and ingredients and methods from the

gastronomic cultures whose destinies have in-

tertwined with Romania’s throughout history.

The abundance of wildlife in the Romanian for-

ests also inspire a rich variety of meat dishes

and delicacies.

RELIGION Unlike other cultures, Romanians adopted

Christianity in peace, not as a result of war, and

many of its customs still bear the mark of an-

cient rituals combined with profound respect for

Christian values.

Romania’s main denomination is Orthodox

Christianism (87%), followed by Roman Ca-

tholicism (5%) and other denominations (8%).

Some religious groups are concentrated in par-

ticular regions. Old Rite Russian Christians are

mainly located in Moldavia and Dobrogea.

Most Muslims live in the southeast around

Constanta. Most Greek Catholics reside in

Transylvania. Protestants and Roman Catho-

lics reside primarily in Transylvania. Ortho-

dox and Greek Catholic ethnic Ukrainians live

mostly in the north. Orthodox ethnic Serbs are

primarily in Banat. Members of the Armenian

Church are concentrated in Moldavia and the

south. Virtually all members of the Protestant

Reformed, Roman Catholic, Unitarian, and Lu-

theran churches from Transylvania are ethnic

Hungarians. Approximately half of the Jewish

population is in Bucharest. Romania’s Jewish

community’s history stretches back around two

millennia. The Yiddish language, much used

between the wars by Romanian Jews, is very

little spoken among today’s Jewish population.

Several temples and synagogues have stood on

Romanian soil, some of them declared historic

and architectural monuments, and protected by

law.

LANGUAGE The official language is Romanian, which has

Latin roots that date back to the Roman occu-

pation of the area, but also contains words from

Greek, Slavic languages, and Turkish. Romanian

is a rich Latin language, sharing its Latin basis

with Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese,

and for this reason it is often compared to an

oasis of Latinity in the South-East of Europe.

In the fourteenth century, the country adopted

the Cyrillic alphabet, but it later reverted to Ro-

man lettering. Modern languages like English,

French and Italian are widely spoken in trendy

parts of Romania.

WINTER CELEBRATIONS A winter holiday spent in a Romanian village

can be a unique experience. On Christmas and

New Year’s Eve, children and young people go

from door-to-door singing carols, and young

men perform the ‘goat’ or ‘bear’ dance. The

‘goat’ dance used to be a ceremonial, religious

element of agricultural celebrations, a ritual de-

signed to bring fertility for the following year,

herds full of animals and abundant crops. The

dance is accompanied by a wooden flute, and

at its end, one of the young men, approaching

the table where the visited family sit, wishes

them good fortune for the following year. The

young men dance with the lady of each house

and her daughters and then, refreshed with

treats provided by their hosts, offer thanks and

take their leave.

A TAPESTRY OF CULTURES

For centuries, people speaking diverse languages, belonging to various cultures and practising different religions have lived together peacefully in Romania.

6

EMBASSY SUPPLEMENT

Visit magical, legendary destinations, explore

medieval fortresses, walk streets that have

witnessed the unfolding of history, knock at

the gates of castles and discover monasteries

founded by medieval princes and painted by

gifted artists.

Romania is a land of natural beauty, where

all types of landscapes are to be found, from

mountain peaks, home to chamois and reach-

ing 2,000m, where you can walk among alpine

vegetation, to plains, coastline and the Danube

Delta, the world’s third most bio-diverse delta.

In Romania’s many national parks, nature parks

and reservations, you can see so many spec-

imens protected by the law at European and

international level. Romanians are famous for

their hospitality in the welcome they extend to

their guests. You’ll be delighted both by the wel-

come you receive from your hosts and the tra-

ditional food, not to mention the wide range of

sporting activities you can choose from. Come

and discover Romania’s most beautiful sights,

none more beautiful than its natural wonders!

NATIONAL AND NATURAL PARKS AND RESERVES Whether you wish to explore unique ecosys-

tems, get a workout, relax, or do a little of

everything, you’ll find yourself accommodat-

ed by Romania’s 13 national parks: Semenic – Caraş Gorges, Nera Gorges – Beuşniţa, Domogled – Cerna Valley, Retezat, Călimani, Bicaz Gorges – Hăşmaşului, Ceahlău, Rodna Mountains, Piatra Craiului, Cozia, Buila-Vânturariţa, Jiul Gorge and Măcin Mountains.

Rich in spectacular landscapes and biological

diversity, Romania’s 14 nature parks are Bucegi, Apuseni Mountains, Portile de Fier (‘Iron Gates’), Comana, Defileul Mureşului Superior (‘Upper Mureş Gorge’), Balta Mică a Brăilei (‘Small Moor of Brăila’), Lunca Mureşului Inferior (‘Lower Mureş Meadow’), Lunca Joasă a Prutului Inferior (‘Low-er Meadow of Lower Prut’), Grădiştea Munce-lului – Cioclovina, Maramureşului Mountains,

Vânători-Neamţ, Putna – Vrancea, Geoparcul Di-nozaurilor Ţara Haţegului and Geoparcul Platoul Mehedinţi.

Romania’s habitats let visitors see unique and

endangered plants and animals, and many of

these ecosystems are extremely valuable to

science.

FĂGĂRAŞ MOUNTAINS – THE HIGHEST PEAKS Located here, are picturesque glacial lakes, the

largest of which is Bâlea Lake, the centrepiece

of Bâlea Nature Reserve. Sitting at 2,040 m, the

lake has a 4.65ha surface area, and a depth of

11m, and is easily accessible, close to the highest

point of the Transfăgăraşan road which cross-

es the massif from north to south. The sunny

southern ridge is reached via a highway tun-

nel (or, for rock-climbing enthusiasts, over the

ridge). Plant life here differs from that on the

north side, but also features some of the plants

specific to the higher ground of the Transylva-

nian ridge – juniperus, juniperus communis and

bilberry (vaccinum myrtillus). Hiking on the

ridge trails (it is recommend that visitors hike

A journey into nature.

PEARLS OF NATURE IN ROMANIA

8

EMBASSY SUPPLEMENT

9

accompanied by a tour guide or a local) you can

see rare species of birds, including several vari-

eties of falcon, kestrel and spotted nutcracker

(Nucifraga caryocatactes). During summer, it is

possible to see chamois here, especially in the

remote depressions and away from frequently

passed tourist routes in places such as Arpăşel, Al-bota, Lăiţa. Foxes, bears and wolves rarely climb

higher than 2,100m, but roam the lower ground

in the dense coniferous forests, as do stags, lynx,

European pine martens, wild boar and roe deer

from the broadleaf forests. In Făgăraş Mountains Nature Park you can also visit Arpăşel Fauna Reservation, the limestone landscape of Turnu Roşu and the highest peaks in Romania, eight

of which rise above 2,500m, with the highest,

Moldoveanu peak, reaching 2,544m. The ridges

of Făgăraş Mountain are narrow and make for

fairly challenging hiking, but the beauty of the

landscape affords unique rewards. And between

Bâlea Waterfall and Bâlea Lake, you can admire

the views from the cable car high above a classic

glacial valley.

The Danube Delta Reservation is the third-rich-

est biosphere reservation in the world in terms

of biodiversity - a paradise of birds, fish and rare

flowers - and it has become part of UNESCO’s

World Culture and Natural Heritage since 1990.

The wonderful and mysterious wet land lays

on 3,510 square kilometers to the Eastern part

of Romania as the Danube River flows into the

Black Sea. It hosts more than 7,000 known spe-

cies of rare living creatures, plants and flowers

– 2,994 plant species and 4,262 animals species.

Almost 70% of the Delta’s vegetation grows in

various reeds and rushes, some of them forming

floating islands.

The Danube Delta’s fame comes mainly from

its bird population, comprising 341 species. This

is home to huge colonies of Pelicans (see pic-

ture), a bird that is one of the closest creatures

to dinosaurs, still living on the face of the Earth.

The Reservation is Romania’s most important

area for fish farming with 135 species that are

being raised, including sturgeon. The Letea and

Caraorman forests show a fairy tale picture with

many of their trees growing from water, rich in

creeping plants which give an exotic aspect to

the place. Among the secular oaks, about 2000

wild horses live in the Letea Forest area. During

spring and autumn migration periods, the

Danube Delta is an important rest area for sev-

eral million birds, especially ducks, storks, and

countless species of birds of prey. The Popina

Island is one of their “summer homes”.

Cascada Capra

Ecoturism fauna capra neagra

On your next visit to Romania, you are en-

couraged to explore the many city splendours

that the country has to offer, including; to visit

fortified medieval towns, stroll down streets

steeped in history, open castle gates, and dis-

cover churches and cathedrals built by master

craftsmen, breathe fresh mountain air or bask

on sun-kissed beaches. Discover the stories of

towns that have survived centuries of turbulent

history – each with its own compelling charac-

teristics. Whether you have a weekend or two

weeks to explore our country, Romania is ready

to reveal both little-known secrets and urban

sophistication!

BUCHAREST – ‘LITTLE PARIS OF THE EAST’ The Romanian capital is a city of contrasts,

where historic buildings stand side by side with

skyscrapers of glass and metal.

Bucharest, located in the country’s south-east,

is by far the largest Romanian city (with almost

two million people) and it is the nation’s cul-

tural, industrial and financial centre. According

to local legend, the city was established by a

shepherd named Bucur who tended his flocks

on the bank of the River Dâmbovita. Although

it was documented for the first time in official

15th-Century records, Bucharest only became

the capital of Romania in the middle of the 19th

Century. The streets of Bucharest often reflect

its nickname ‘Little Paris of the East’, given to the

capital between the wars for its elegant archi-

tecture and thriving cultural life. Bucharest also

bears the scars from four decades of a com-

munist regime, which ordered the demolition of

entire residential neighbourhoods to make way

for wide boulevards and massive monumental

buildings, and the rapid and sometimes chaotic

development since 1989.

The Historic QuarterBucharest’s historic quarter has seen a renais-

sance in the last few years and has become one

of the capital’s most popular leisure districts.

During summer, the local streets – Smârdan,

Franceza, Selari, Sfântul Dumitru, Gabroveni

and Covaci – are packed with tables where you

can enjoy a coffee, a cold beer or a salad or

steak. In winter, the hustle and bustle adjourns

inside the pubs and restaurants, where the most

popular drink is hot mulled wine. Prices here

accommodate every budget.

HotelsBucharest offers a wide selection hotels rang-

ing from two to five stars, many of which are

part of prestigious hotel chains. Exclusive bou-

tique hotels, providing exceptional levels of ser-

vice and tastefully furnished, cater for the more

discerning visitor, while budget travellers can

choose from city hostels and apartment hotels.

ShoppingFrom designer labels to antiques, handicrafts

and souvenirs to electrical goods or diamond

rings, look no further than Bucharest. Calea

Dorobanti, Calea Victoriei and Magheru Boule-

vard, or on nearby tiny Ion Câmpineanu Street

are the places for luxury shopping. For a more

varied selection of international and local

brands check out one of the city’s ten air-condi-

tioned shopping malls and shop until you drop.

Afterwards you can take in a movie, or relax

over a meal, or a coffee or an ice cream. Food

shopping has never been easier with numer-

ous supermarkets and hypermarkets round the

fringes of the city centre, and smaller grocery

stores, delicatessen and specialist food stores in

the central area.

TransportTwo international airports, Henri Coandă

(Otopeni) and Aurel Vlaicu (Baneasa), both lo-

cated north of the city centre connect Bucharest

with the rest of the world, and provide domestic

connections to many Romanian cities. Direct in-

ternational trains arrive daily at the main rail-

way station, Gara de Nord, coming from cities

as far afield as Vienna, Istanbul and Moscow,

and with connections from all over Europe.

Meanwhile, over 200 trains depart daily for

destinations throughout the country.

SIBIU – THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE This beautiful Transylvanian city resembles the

Western European main cities. Designated as

the European Capital of Culture in 2007, to-

gether with Luxembourg, Sibiu passed through

several years of an extended restoration pro-

cess and its historical centre is currently a small,

but charming medieval city which you can cross

on foot, walking on pedestrian streets and

squares surrounded by historic buildings. Also

known under the German name Hermannstadt,

Sibiu has always been an important centre of

the German community of Transylvania. In fact,

the city was established in the 12th century by

the German colonists, known here as Saxons

and in the 17th century it was considered the

most Eastern city of Europe. Home to a mixed

Romanian, German and Hungarian population,

Sibiu brings together the three cultures that also

influenced the architectural style of the city.

CITY SPLENDOURWelcome to city living in the

Carpathian garden!

10

EMBASSY SUPPLEMENT

Bucharest Parliament palace

RECOGNISING ACHIEVEMENTS IN MEDICINE AND MICROBIOLOGYOn 28 April 2015, the prestigious Novo Nordisk

Foundation organised the award ceremony

dedicated to granting 18 scholarships for

talented researchers in the fields of medicine

and biotechnology, totalling DKK 83 million.

Simona Chera, M.D., Phd, researcher at the

University of Bergen (Norway), received an ex-

cellence grant for her studies on diabetes. Bea-

trice Dyring-Andersen, M.D., PhD, was awarded

a postdoctoral grant for research in treating

skin cancer to be pursued at Harvard University

(United States of America). Amelia-Elena Rotaru,

M.D., PhD, was granted a postdoctoral schol-

arship for the study of microbiology at the

Biology Department, University of Southern

Denmark.

The three grants are further proof of the out-

standing value of Romanian researchers and

their significant contribution to developing the

fields of medicine and microbiology in prestigious

academic centres in Northern Europe.

ROMANIAN RESEARCHERS

Awards for three Romanian reasearchers from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

11

EMBASSY SUPPLEMENT

SOFTWARE DEFINED NETWORKING: APPLICABILITY AND SERVICE POSSIBILITIESCosmin Caba started as a PhD student in the

Fotonik department at Technical University of

Denmark (DTU) in March 2013. His research

topic is “Software Defined Networking: Ap-

plicability and Service Possibilities”. Cosmin

completed his MSc studies in telecommunica-

tions at DTU in 2013, and his BSc studies in

electronics, telecommunications and informa-

tion technology at “Politehnica” University of

Bucharest. During his Masters, Cosmin worked

with topics from various areas of telecommu-

nications and computer science. For his Mas-

ters thesis, he has implemented a software

tool to help students in testing the applica-

tions they implement in one of the courses at

DTU Fotonik. The project received the TELE

2014 student prize for the best student contri-

bution in telecommunications in Denmark in

the year 2013.

Solidarity with the families of the victims of the deadly fire in

Colectiv Club in Bucharest and of the terrorist attacks.

Romania is the leader in Europe, and sixth in

the world, in terms of the number of certified IT

specialists, with density rates per 1,000 inhab-

itants greater than in the US or Russia. There

are almost 100 000 specialists in the IT sector.

Approximately 5 000 of the 30 000 engineers

graduating every year in Romania are trained

in ICT.

In recent years, Romania has made significant

progress in all of the information and commu-

nications technology (ICT) subsectors, including

basic telephony, mobile telephony, the Internet

and IT.

The IT market is one of the most dynamic sec-

tors of the Romanian economy. Since the year

1994 the IT market has demonstrated growth

rates of 40–60 percent a year. The biggest sec-

tor in terms of revenue is system and network

integration, which accounts for 28,3% of the to-

tal market revenues. Meanwhile the fastest growing

segment of the IT market is offshore programming.

The industry of software development outsourcing

crossed the mark of USD 3 billion of total revenues

in 2005 and reached USD 4.8 billion in 2006.

Nowadays it accounts for about 6-10% of GDP.

In 2003, Microsoft acquired Romanian Anti-

virus Technology, and according to Microsoft,

Romania has a clear potential in information

technology, an area in which Romanian stu-

dents, researchers and entrepreneurs excel. Its

Western-oriented culture and the high educa-

tional degree of its youth bring Romania forward

as a huge potential market (the second largest

software producer in Eastern Europe). In terms

of IT outsourcing services, Romania is ranked in

the third place worldwide successfully

challenging India.

OFFSHORE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENTCurrently Romania controls five percent of the

offshore software development market and is

the third leading country (after India and China)

among software exporters. Such growth of

software outsourcing in Romania is caused by

a number of factors. One of them is the sup-

porting role of the Romanian Government. The

Government has launched a programme pro-

moting construction of IT-oriented technology

parks – special zones that have an established

infrastructure and enjoy a favourable tax and

customs regime. Another factor stimulating the

IT sector growth in Romania is the presence of

global technology corporations such as Intel,

Motorola, Sun Microsystems, Boeing, Nokia

and others, which have intensified their soft-

ware development activities and opened their

R&D centres in Romania. Nevertheless, Roma-

nia’s main competitive advantage in software

development consists of its highly qualified,

cost-effective human resources.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN DENMARKThe Danish Agency for the Modernisation of

Public Administration has selected the solutions

offered by Romanian company Bitdefender for

protecting the IT infrastructure in the public sec-

tor. Bitdefender data protection services provid-

ed for Danish authorities the Gravity Zone Secu-

rity for Virtualised Environments programme, to

address threats such as phishing, ransomware

and others, including an application for scan-

ning network traffic which has the advantage of

enhanced applicability regardless of terminals

and operating systems.

Danish authorities justified their decision of se-

lecting Bitdefender services based on the excel-

lent credentials and quality of its technology,

integrated services and their adaptability and

implicit efficiency. Bitdefender has already

established partnerships with various local

authorities and companies in Denmark.

About Bitdefender:Bitdefeners is a world-renown producer of IT

infrastructure and data protection programmes.

The company’s technological performance has

been certified by relevant international bodies.

Thus, Bitdefender products have established a

premiere being the first to be awarded simul-

taneously the titles “Best protection” and “Best

performance” by German institute AV-TEST.

Bitdefender is also the producer of world’s

“Best antivirus in 2014”, thus confirming its lead-

ership status on the global market for system

protection services. Bitdefender has more than

500 million clients worldwide.

One of the fastest-growing information technology (IT) markets in the region.

ROMANIA, THE SILICON VALLEY OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

12

EMBASSY SUPPLEMENT

The achievement of European Commission tar-

gets related to the production of energy from

renewable sources has encouraged develop-

ment within the renewable energy market in

Romania, particularly in biomass sources. Se-

rious efforts are also being put into achieving

European targets for energy efficiency. In this

respect, the Romanian Regulatory Authority for

Energy aims to run an information campaign

for consumers regarding the use of renewable

energy and its benefits to daily living, and to the

family budget that can be obtained by simply

applying energy efficiency measures.

CREATING AN ENERGY EFFICENT COUNTRY The main challenge for 2015 lies in the liberali-

sation of household energy markets, which will

inevitably bring price increases. Price increases

are required to create the necessary conditions

for competition, ensuring that investors achieve

their targeted return on investment. In order

to facilitate price increases, the Romanian Reg-

ulatory Authority for Energy put into force a

pre-market mechanism that targets estimated

price increases according to the timetable for

phasing out the regulated tariffs to households.

One of its key tasks is to educate consumers to

get the best energy deal possible. In the natu-

ral gas sector for instance, following the recent

discussions held by the Romanian Government

with the representatives of the International

Monetary Fund, European Union and World

Bank, the parties agreed to increase the price

of natural gas from domestic production as of

July 1, 2015 and as a result, the Regulatory Au-

tority estimates that the average price to final

customers will increase by about 11%.

In the electricity sector, due to the maintaining

of regulated prices to households at the same

value as the one in the second half of 2014, and

due to the reduction of the high efficiency co-

generation contribution, a decrease of between

0.5-1% of the electricity bill to households is en-

visaged for the second half of 2015.

BIOMASS AND BIOGAS SECTORS Romania has a good supply of biomass, largely

as a result of its forests. The country has registered

some success using biomass for public heating,

particularly in the city of Suceava in the north

of the country, and has been actively engaged

in developing regulations for the biomass en-

ergy sector. The country is expecting increased

investment throughout 2015 in this sector of the

market. In addition, beside biomass, the biogas

sector has also a great potential in Romania,

especially in small and medium-sized commu-

nities, where biogas sources can be the engine

behind the expansion of local activities such as

tourism, small industry, agriculture and agro-in-

dustry. This potential can be developed through

a national programme for biomass and biogas,

but also through direct cooperation between

companies with notable results in the field.

Romania has positioned itself as an electricity

supplier to Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech

Republic. The potential of export markets will

drive investment as investors seek to expand

power generation capacity in line with great-

er demand. Increased electricity supply will

also enable the country to shift the emphasis

of household energy consumption from gas to

electricity, releasing increased quantities of gas

for industrial applications and reducing our reliance

upon gas imports. Everything possible has been

done to smooth the way for international

energy trading, including the installation of

an OTC platform Romania’s Stock Exchange.

THE SECOND RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH LAB IN EUROPE The second renewable energy research

laboratory in Europe was recently completed

in Timisoara, western Romania, after an eight

million Euro investment.

Researchers at the facility are looking for the

best way to use the solar energy, which they

say will ensure the world’s future energy. They

have more than 20 next-generation devices at

their disposal, brought in from the Netherlands,

America, Israel, Germany, Italy, and the UK. The

lab also has a microscope unique in Eastern

Europe, which allows image capture at an

atomic level. Only Poland has a laboratory with

the same performance.

The laboratory belongs to the National Re-

search Institute for Electrochemistry and Con-

densed Matter. The building that hosts the

laboratory is energy efficient, as it produces its

own electricity through solar panels on the roof.

LEADING ENERGY MARKET REFORM IN ROMANIA

Shaping the future of renewable energy in the region.

13

EMBASSY SUPPLEMENT

Some may say that it is difficult to define a uniquily Romanian cuisine, as many of the country’s dishes borrow heavily from neighbouring cultures,

including Turkish, Hungarian, Germanic and Slavic. While not well known abroad, Romanian cuisine is a reflection of the country’s agrarian roots and

culturually intertwined history. “The central characteristic of the Romanian cuisine is its great variety. It is a cuisine influenced by repeated waves of

different cultures: The ancient Greeks, with whom Romanians traded; the Romans, who gave the country its name; the Saxons, who settled in southern

Transylvania; the Turks, who for centuries dominated Romania; as well as Slavic and Magyar neighbours. All of these influences gradually blended into

the varied and delicious Romanian culinary tradition,” says Nicolae Klepper, Taste of Romania.

The results of this melting pot of cultural influences, are starters and main courses with a familiar homemade quality, built around staples such as pork,

chicken and lamb, made special through the addition of ample, organic fruits and vegetables.

EASY-TO-MAKE ROMANIAN RECIPE You can try this traditional Romainian dish at home, it is that simple to make!

European-inspired foods offering great variety in style and flavour.

A TASTE OF ROMANIA

14

EMBASSY SUPPLEMENT

CABBAGE ROLLS/(GRAPE LEAVES) SARMALECabbage rolls are made of ground meat (usually pork, but also

beef) mixed with rice and other ingredients and rolled into cab-

bage leaves. In some regions cabbage rolls are served with po-

lenta and sour cream. This specialty is known under the same

name “sarmale”.

Ingredients:1kg ground pork

½ cup rice

1-2 chopped onions

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1l tomato juice

Salt and pepper to taste

1 large sour cabbage

15 slices of bacon

Method:Chop the onions and fry them in the oil until tender. Add rice

and cook for another minute. Add onion and rice mixture to

ground pork and add salt, pepper, dill and parsley and mix well

with your hands.

Now it’s time to assemble the rolls. Remove all the cabbage

leaves and cut each leaf in half. Fill each half leaf with a big tbsp

of the meat mixture and roll. Put all the rolls in a big pot and

add the tomato juice over the rolls. Add more water if needed,

the juice should cover the rolls entirely. Cover the pot with alu-

minum foil and bake at 375 degrees for about four hours.

After two hours remove the foil and put back in the oven. Serve

hot with a bit of sour cream on top.Sources: http://travel.cnn.com/; http://www.seriouseats.com/

Whether you travel in Romania, be it along the

coast of the Black Sea, in the Dobrogea Plateau

near the Danube Delta region, in the Province of

Moldova, along valley slopes of the scenic Car-

pathian Mountains, in Transylvania or Walla-

chia, or in nearly any agricultural area through-

out Romania, you’re in wine country. Romania

is one of the world’s top-ranking producers of

numerous delicious wines, some of which never

leave its borders.

Archeological evidence of country-wide wine

production in Romania’s grape-friendly soil and

climate dates back to the classical Greek and

Roman eras of settlement in Romania. Today,

the country is on a list of the world’s “Top 12

Wine Producers”, in which France ranks number

one and Italy is listed as number two, Romania

ranks 10th among the world’s top wine produc-

ers by volume.

Romania’s climate and soil are hospitable

to the production of many different types of

wines; from dry, sparkling whites to rich, aro-

matic, purplish reds. Popular domestic grape

varieties used for wine production include Frân-cuşă, Fetească Albă, Tămâioasă, Fetească Neagră, Băbească.

REGIONAL WINES Frâncuşă – A very versatile soft, dry wine, crisp

and lively, with just the slightest touch of sweet-

ness.

Fetească Albă – Semi-dry white wine, well bal-

anced, with a distinct aroma reminiscent of the

first flowering of the vineyard.

Tămâioasă Romanească - A naturally sweet or

semi-sweet white wine with subtle honey and

basil aromas, an exquisite amber color and a

persistent rich taste. Its sweet taste may also

suggest a blend of rose petals and wild berries.

Grasă de Cotnari – A naturally sweet white wine

with a delicate fragrance and a smooth inter-

play of fruitiness and acidity.

Galbenă de Odobeşti – A light white wine with a

delicate bouquet that preserves the fragrance

of the mellow grape.

Fetească Neagră – Semi-sweet, medium bodied,

light red wine, with original aromas.

Băbească Neagră – Traditional full bodied red

wine with a delicate bouquet and a slight taste

of clove.

Cadarca - This red, native variety, displaying a

ruby-red color with a stinging taste of fresh

clove, was the wine of the imperial court of

Vienna during the reign of Emperor Franz Josef,

in the 18th century.

Romania also produces its share of worldwide

vintages, including Riesling, Merlot, Sauvignon

Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and

Muscat Ottonel.

For the traveller interested in adding viniculture

to his or her cultural itinerary, a trip to Roma-

nia offers many opportunities to visit wine-pro-

ducing regions and to discover and sample the

many different wines of Romania, from little

known local and regional wines to Romania’s

great wine labels, such as Murfatlar, Cotnari, Jid-vei, Dealu Mare and Odobeşti.

Source: Romania Tourism; Wine Institute based on data from

Office Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin.

WELCOME TO WINE COUNTRY

A taste of Romania’s world-class wines.

15

EMBASSY SUPPLEMENT

”Rumænske Vine og Specialiteter” specialises in selling food products only from Romania.

We are a special shop offering only products

from Romania, such as: A large variety of

Romanian beers and wines from the best wines

districts of Romania, charcutery products, chees-

es of different types, typical Romanian groceries,

traditional Romanian cakes and sweets, as well

as many other products.

Our prices are very attractive and competitive.

The address of our shop in Copenhagen is:

Åbenrå 20, st, 1124 Copenhagen K (close to

Nørreport station), phone: 28434342

Operating hours are:

Tuesday to Suturday 11.00 - 19.00;

Sunday 11.00 - 16.00, Monday - CLOSED

www.dacia.dk

ENERGY CLASS: - Fuel consumption 15,6 - 28,6 km/l. CO2 from 90-145g/km. 1 Financing via Renault Finance (Santander Consumer Bank) of Dacia Duster inclusive delivery fee 143.770 kr. Down payment 0 kr. Monthly payment 1.999 kr. Duration 96 months. Borrowing rate 6,17%. ÅOP 7,8%. Total cost of credit 48.078 kr. Loan amount 149.415 kr. Total repayment amount kr. 197.493. Establishment cost for the loan 5.645 kr. and monthly fee of 35 kr. inclusive Nets is included in all calculations. Right of cancellation 14 days. 2 Financing via Renault Finance (Santander Consumer Bank) of Dacia Logan MCV inclusive delivery fee113.770 kr. Down payment 0 kr. Monthly payment 1.699 kr. Duration 96 month. Borrower rate 7,18%. ÅOP 10,0%. Total cost of credit 49.247 kr. Loan amount 122.218 kr. Total repayment amount kr. 171.465. Establishment cost for the loan 8.458 kr., and monthly fee of 35 kr. inclusive Nets is included in all calculations. Right of cancellation 14 days. 3 Financing via Renault Finance (Santander Consumer Bank) of Dacia Lodgy inclusive delivery fee 133.770 kr. Down payment 0 kr. Monthly payment 1.989 kr. Duration 96 month. Borrower rate 7,18%. ÅOP 9,8%. Total cost of credit 57.084 kr. Loan amount 143.528 kr. Total repayment amount kr. 200.612. Establishment cost for the loan 9.758 kr., and monthly fee of 35 kr. inclusive Nets is included in all calculations. Right of cancellation 14 days. 4 Financing via Renault Finance (Santander Consumer Bank) of Dacia Sandero Tce 0,9 Stepway inclusive delivery fee 143.770 kr. Down payment 0 kr. Monthly payment 2.135 kr. Duration 96 months. Borrower rate 7,18%. ÅOP 9,8%. Total cost of credit 61.106 kr. Loan amount 154.265 kr. Total repayment amount kr. 215.371. Establishment cost for the loan 10.495 kr., and monthly fee of 35 kr. inclusive Nets is included in all calculations. Right of cancellation 14 days. 5 Financing via Renault Finance (Santander Consumer Bank) of Dacia Sandero inclusive delivery fee 103.770 kr. Down payment 0 kr. Monthly payment 1.575 kr. Duration 96 month. Borrower rate 7,18%. ÅOP 10,5%. Total cost of credit 47.374 kr. Loan amount 113.128 kr Total repayment amount 160.502 kr. Establishment cost for the loan 9.358 kr., and monthly fee of 35 kr. inclusive Nets is included in all calculations. Right of cancellation 14 days. Renault Finance does not cooperate with others credit companies. O� ers valid for private individuals and requires credit approval. Subject to price and interest rate changes. *Cars can be shown with extra equipment. Prices are excl. delivery fee of 3.780 kr.

Dacia Duster

From 139.990 kr.*or 1.999 kr./md.1

There is a Dacia for you too.

Dacia SanderoFrom 99.990 kr.*or 1.575 kr./md.5

YEARS WARRANTY

OR 100 000 KM

Dacia Sandero StepwayFrom 139.990 kr.*or 2.135 kr./md.4

Dacia Logan MCVFrom 109.990 kr.*or 1.699 kr./md.2

Dacia LodgyFrom 129.990 kr.*or 1.989 kr./md.3

0 kr. Down

payment