IMF mission chief joins traditional Romanian party at winter resort

Jeffrey Franks, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Romania, who is currently on a review mission in the country, partied with Sorin Blejnar, the head of the country's Fiscal Administration (ANAF) at a private party in Romania's Prahova Valley, according to ProTV channel. Franks (in picture, left, shaking hands with the Romanian president) enjoyed some traditional food, like barbecued lamb, sausages and smoked meat, and drank boiled tuica (tuica is a Romanian traditional spirit that contains up to 60 percent alcohol). Franks, who has been in and out Romania for the last three years while the country had an ongoing loan agreement with the fund, also danced during the party, joining the traditional round dance, bit stayed at the party for only two hours.

Franks, an American citizen, joined the IMF in 1993, as economist in the Fiscal Affairs Department. Since then, he has held positions in the European Department and Western Hemisphere Department, including as IMF Representative in Ecuador and Ukraine. In December 2008, he became mission chief for Romania. He received a PhD in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University, a BA in Economics from Washington State University, an MS degree in Development Economics from Oxford University, and a masters in Public Affairs (Economics and Public Policy) from Princeton University. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Presidency.ro)