May 12 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Romanian financial markets on Thursday.

TURKMEN PRESIDENT IN ROMANIA

Turkmen President Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov is on a two-day visit to Romania and is expected to meet President Traian Basescu and other Romanian officials.

PETROM Q1 NET PROFIT RISES ON OIL PRICE, COST CUTS

Romania's top oil and gas company Petrom (SNPP.BX), majority controlled by Austria's OMV (OMVV.VI), posted a 4.6 percent rise in first-quarter net profit on Wednesday, due to higher oil prices and cost cuts.

* Petrom had investments of 633 million lei ($223.1 million) in the first quarter, down 12 percent on the year. (Ziarul Financiar, Page 8)

* The company also said shareholders were not asked to renew an approval to hike Petrom's capital. (Adevarul, Page 20)

TRANSELECTRICA

Romania's economy minister appointed Horia Hahaianu as the new head of state-owned power grid operator Transelectrica (TSEL.BX), replacing former director Stelian Gal.

Since taking his post more than half a year ago, the economy minister has replaced several heads of state-owned energy companies, mirroring similar moves by his predecessors.

NO CONFIDENCE MOTION

Opposition Social Democrats and Liberals may file a new no confidence motion against the centrist coalition government in June. (Adevarul, Page 7)