The ministers of defense from the Bucharest 9 (B9) format signed, on Wednesday, in Bucharest, a joint Statement in which they emphasized the importance of strengthening the defense industry and the existence of a common air defense system and reiterated their support for Ukraine.The ministers from Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary met at the Palace of the Parliament and discussed including the incidents with Russian drones that fell on the territory of some NATO countries. Moreover, a point in the joint declaration is dedicated to this topic.''We express our profound concern over the repeated incursions of NATO airspace, in Poland, Romania, Latvia and other NATO countries by the Russian Federation's drones and missiles, and the escalations of tensions along NATO's borders. This is a new reality that cannot be left disregarded. We need a collective answer within NATO to challenges posed by modern weapons and technologies including through boosting our capabilities of detecting, identifying and, if necessary, engaging low and slow flying objects," the Statement reads.In this sense, the signatories call for the consolidation of NATO's integrated air defense system and for the "fastest possible" implementation of the system through rotation in this regard.''We support initiatives to utilize all available opportunities and resources within the EU and NATO to increase European air and missile defence capabilities. We reiterate the need for Russia's full compliance with international law, including the inviolability of NATO airspace,'' the Statement reads.At the same time, the B9 ministers are committed to supporting, at NATO, the consolidation of the Eastern Flank. They also mention the commitment to allocate at least 2% of the national GDP, annually, for defense and the commitment to boost the national armament production industries.The Statement also mentions the efforts to create corridors to facilitate military mobility, but also to ensure supplies for the energy system."Recognizing that military aid is granted voluntarily and is a sovereign decision [of a state], the allies intend to continue providing non-lethal, political, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine," the document states.The defense ministers who met in Bucharest also include the Republic of Moldova in the Statement."We will also cooperate closely to support our partners from the region, who are most exposed to Russia's attempts at destabilisation, such as the Republic of Moldova. Strengthening their defence capacity and resilience is relevant to the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic area,'' the joint Statement reads.
The fund Cultura Face Bine, a national funding mechanism for cultural projects backed by private-sector financing, will begin supporting local cultural organizations in 2026. The fund aims to support grassroots cultural initiatives with a proven impact in their communities and which need resources to continue, develop, or transform their activities. The funding mechanism has been […]
The European Commission (EC) announced on Thursday, December 11, that it is referring Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for failing to meet obligations under Ambient Air Quality Directives. According to the Commission, Romania has not ensured that its national air quality monitoring network complies with legally required standards on […]
The Bucharest Court of Appeal (CAB) held an unprecedented press conference on Thursday, December 11, in response to allegations raised in a recent media investigation published by Recorder, with court president Liana Arsenie firmly rejecting the claims. However, at the start of the press event, a judge from within the institution publicly stated that the […]
Romania’s Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) issued its first response to the Recorder documentary alleging systemic manipulation within the justice system, calling the investigation an amplification of a “campaign to destabilize judicial authority.” The council said on Thursday, December 11, that it will evaluate what measures need to be taken following the report. In a […]
MedLife, Romania’s largest private medical services network, announced on Wednesday, December 10, that it reached a market capitalization of EUR 1 billion on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB). The milestone secures its position as “the most valuable healthcare company” in the country. The achievement came nine years after MedLife’s listing on BVB in December 2016, […]
The Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark in Romania has become a “living laboratory” this week as a team of American researchers arrived to study microorganisms capable of surviving in extreme environments. The scientists, part of the interdisciplinary research organisation The Two Frontiers Project, are examining methane seeps, sulfur and petroleum springs, saline sources, and other […]
