* The casino of Constanţa, to be exploited in partnership with a major private international operator

* Exclusive interview with Mr. RADU MAZĂRE, the mayor of Constanţa

Reporter: At the end of last year, you have expressed your opinion that you no longer wanted to sell the casino of Constanţa. On the contrary, you have said that you want to achieve a public-private partnership with a company interested in the rehabilitation of this monument and to use it for gambling. What is the stage of these steps concerning the rehabilitation of the Casino?

Radu Mazăre: In the opinion of people in the business, from other countries, the casino of Constanţa is showing its age when compared to the designs of modern casinos. The current casinos are very big, with extremely diversified facilities, both inside as well as nearby, they are true malls dedicated to entertainment and spending leisure time. Our casino, of course, remains a landmark and it could be a luxury one, but smaller.

Because this building has been a hot-item in politics as well, I've said that, since it can't be sold - even though Transelectrica, Transgaz, our natural reserves and others, far more important, can be sold - then we are going to find an associate. But, until we can succeed to associate with somebody, to avoid the risk of excessive degradation of the building, we have included it on the list of financing out of European funds for rehabilitation. We need approximately 7 million Euros for its maintenance, and we subsequently would associate with a specialized operator for exploitation. Should we find someone in the interim, willing to do the investment in the rehabilitation of the building by themselves, then we would abandon the European funds idea. Unfortunately, I am not convinced that there would be anybody willing to invest 7 million Euros into a partnership just for rehabilita