Political pressure groups and leaders:
various human rights and professional associations
International organization participation:
ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ESA
(cooperating state), EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM
(guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG,
UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,
WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Daniela
GITMAN
chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas F. TAUBMAN embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300 FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442 information office: Cluj-Napoca
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red;
the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow
band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also
resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
Economy Romania
Economy - overview:
Romania began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely
obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the
country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing
three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets.
Despite the global slowdown in 2001-02, strong domestic activity in
construction, agriculture, and consumption have kept GDP growth
above 4%. An IMF standby agreement, signed in 2001, has been
accompanied by slow but palpable gains in privatization, deficit
reduction, and the curbing of inflation. The IMF Board approved
Romania's completion of the standby agreement in October 2003, the
first time Romania has successfully concluded an IMF agreement since
the 1989 revolution. In July 2004, the executive board of the IMF
approved a 24-month standby agreement for $367 million. IMF concerns
about Romania's tax policy and budget deficit led to a breakdown of
this agreement in 2005. In the past, the IMF has criticized the
government's fiscal, wage, and monetary policies. Meanwhile,
macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a
middle class and address Romania's widespread poverty, while
corruption and red tape continue to handicap the business
environment. Romanian government confidence in continuing
disinflation was underscored by its currency revaluation in 2005,
making 10,000 "old" lei equal 1 "new" leu.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$181.8 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$72.7 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.1% (2005 est.)