Attending on Monday the Foreign Affairs Council (CAE) meeting in Brussels, Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu emphasized the importance of Ukraine receiving quick military assistance through the implementation of the Assistance Fund for Ukraine - part of the European Peace Fund (EPF).According to a statement of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Romanian top diplomat underscored the importance of the fast adoption of the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia, and also expressed support for the creation of a new regime of sanctions for Russia's hybrid actions, condemning its recent unacceptable provocations against several EU member states in the Baltic Sea region. The Romanian official cautioned against Russia's hybrid attacks on the Republic of Moldova, which generate significant vulnerabilities, particularly in the context of the neighboring country's electoral processes.Also, Odobescu emphasized the need to continue and strengthen support for Ukraine and condemned Russia's intense and repeated attacks on Ukraine's civil and energy infrastructure, affirming Romania's willingness to continue providing bilateral support to the war-embattled country.The foreign minister also reiterated Romania's support for the European path of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and the organization of the first intergovernmental conferences until the end of June 2024. Regarding President Zelensky's Peace Formula, she emphasized the importance of coordination, both Europe-wide as well as with global partners, in order to ensure the success of the peace conference in Switzerland in June.The agenda of the meeting included a debate on Russia's aggression against Ukraine - with the participation via video conference of Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmitro Kuleba, as well as developments in the Middle East, which were also approached in an informal exchange of views between European ministers with their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and with the Secretary- General of the League of Arab States. The Romanian minister welcomed the role of the states in the region in maintaining regional stability, de-escalating the security situation and mediation, as well as in facilitating the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.The Romanian foreign minister emphasized the need to solve the crisis in Gaza by continuing efforts for the release of all hostages, without preconditions, the ceasefire, the provision of comprehensive humanitarian assistance and the resumption of the political process that will lead to a lasting peace, based on the two-state solution, in coordination with the US, the UK, and regional partners. Odobescu reaffirmed Romania's constant commitment to improving the humanitarian situation and mentioned the dispatch of a new humanitarian assistance transport to Gaza through the humanitarian corridor in Cyprus.
Two Romanians were arrested during Sunday night, May 11, after robbing empty houses in the evacuated mountain village of Brienz located in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The village had been evacuated since November due to rock falls. The locality was, however, monitored by the authorities to prevent break-ins. The would-be thieves apparently tried to […]
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or EBRD, has revised its estimates regarding the evolution of the Romanian economy in 2025 downward to 1.6%. The bank expects Romania’s GDP to grow 0.2% less than the 1.8% estimate made in February, and to increase by 2.4% in 2026. Romania's GDP growth slowed to 0.8% in […]
During a meeting on Monday, May 12, the Cluj-Napoca Local Council approved a draft resolution that imposes smoking restrictions in several public spaces in the city, including public transport stations, parks, and sports facilities. The resolution was adopted with 22 votes in favor and 3 abstentions, and will come into effect 90 days from the […]
An internal survey by Romanian Business Leaders, which does not have national representativeness but was answered by 417 entrepreneurs, shows that 62% of entrepreneurs expect to have to make layoffs, while a third expect the number of employees to remain the same. The expected layoffs are directly connected to the possibility of Romania choosing a […]
Romanian Istvan Kovacs will be the main referee for the UEFA Champions League final between Paris St-Germain and Inter Milan, which will be played on May 31 in Munich. The match will be Kovacs’ third European final in the last 4 years. The 40-year-old referee has previously officiated the UEFA Europa Conference League final in […]
Over 70 museums across Romania will open their doors after hours for the 21st edition of Night of Museums, one of the country's most anticipated cultural events. Held on the night of May 17, the event offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore exhibitions, installations, and creative activities in an unconventional, late-night setting. From major […]
