What the newspapers say: November 22, 2010 

A new scandal makes the first page of most newspapers on Monday, that splits the Interior ministry while after years of talks, tensions and various accusations, Romania enters the European map of wind energy producers with about 600 mw. In Eastern Europe, Germany takes up a new role.

Most newspapers today read about the scandal that seems to split the Interior ministry. Romania libera reads about the file in which billionaire Catalin Chelu was arrested for attempting to bribe quaestor Dan Fatuloiu.The file reveals the methods used by businessmen: to discover the weakness of a target’s family member. In this case, the newspaper reads that the weak link was Alex Fatuloiu, his son who is known for having a thing for money.

Chelu wanted to give Dan Fatuloiu, state secretary in the Interior ministry through his son, 1 million euro bribe. The money were meant to help him eschew 48 penal files and help him get control over the Hidroconstructii company.The state secretary denounced the businessman’s attempt and special teams arrested Chelu and his collaborators.

Gandul quotes former Interior minister Vasile Blaga who admits that he knew about the bribe attempt from Fatuloiu but said that the they could have organized the arrest in other conditions.Fatuloiu also accused other officers from the economic department of informing businessmen of Fatuloiu’s intent to send their files to anti graft prosecutors.

Romania entered the European map of wind energy producers in 2010: over 560 mw are present in Dobrogea, South East Romania this year, Evenimentul Zilei reads. Overall, these projects attracted about 1 billion euro, which is a third of Romania’s FDI for this year.

The main active actor is CEZ, that built the biggest windmills park at Fantanele, Constanta county of about 300 mw and it plans to go to 600 mw. According to official data, the second biggest is Energias de Portugal that started testing 90 mw in Tulcea county.

A third company, Enel plans to test a eolian park of 34 mw in Tulcea.

Romania libera reads that Germany’s recent involvement in various issues in Eastern Europe dazzled those that thought that only the US matters, quoting Agerpres. The newspaper quotes The Economist, reading that Germany’s pressure to resolve the situation in Transniester already brought some results.

A shut railway was re-opened and direct phone connections could follow suit. Plus, Germany was the one to convince Romania to sign a border treaty which was blocked by the Moldovans for a while now.

Germany continues to have talks with Russia and sometimes with France. Problems in Transniester date back from 1992 when separatists sustained by Russia took over the province.

Unlike other conflicts, no person was killed and both parties talk and have commercial exchanges. However, the involvement of Russia stalled peace talks. Russia claims that its troops protect locals from the dominance of the Romania language and Romania.

Eastern Europe represents a tenth of Germany’s foreign trade. Exports in the first part of 2010 amounted to 41 billion euro, compared to only 11 billion to Russia. Imports were 40 billion euro, compared to 15 billion euro from Russia, including energy.