May 26, 2026
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 26.05.2026, 13:55
EU The interim foreign minister Oana Ţoiu and the secretary of state for European affairs, the Middle East and Africa, Clara Staicu, today take part in the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, the foreign ministry announced. The agenda includes political talks on the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, with a focus on how the future European budget can contribute to the integration of the Single Market. Ministers and state secretaries for European affairs in the EU Member States will also exchange views in preparation for the European Council meeting on June 18 and 19, will discuss the state of EU relations with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and will have a new round of dialogue on the country reports on the rule of law. On the sidelines of the meeting, a working breakfast is planned with a focus on the European Commission’s ‘Strategic Foresight Report’ for 2026, which will provide an opportunity for a discussion on the future of the EU in a changing world. Also in Brussels, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council convenes, attended by Romania’s acting agriculture minister Tanczos Barna. European ministers are discussing farmers’ access to affordable fertilisers and recent developments in European agricultural trade.
VISIT The Council of Europe Commissioner for human rights, Michael O’Flaherty, is on an official visit to Romania until May 29. The agenda focuses on assessing human rights compliance in residential care centres for the elderly. The visit highlights the need to monitor living standards, protect against ill-treatment and ensure adequate healthcare services in such facilities.
MIGRATION Austria’s interior minister Gerhard Karner visits Romania today, on the occasion of an integrated exercise to curb illegal migration. The tactical activities at sea and on land, planned by the interior ministry in Bucharest and institutional partners with responsibilities in securing external borders, are aimed at validating common operational procedures and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the Schengen area. According to the interior ministry, the Austrian official and his Romanian counterpart, Cătălin Predoiu, will hold a press conference in the port of Constanţa, regarding the security of the Romania’s and the European Union’s sea border. “The close collaboration between the authorities in Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria has resulted in an 80% reduction of illegal migration at the EU external borders. The interior ministry carried out approximately 2,800 specific Blitz-like actions during 2025 – 2026, in order to prevent and counter illegal migration and cross-border crime,” the interior ministry also said.
UNITER The UNITER Awards were presented in Bucharest on Monday evening. The best theatre productions and performances of 2025 were rewarded in a Gala directed by Răzvan Mazilu and with a set designed by Dragoş Buhagiar, two of the most famous names in Romanian theatre. Awards were presented in 16 categories, including best actor, best actress, best director and best show. There was also an excellence award, four special awards, the UNITER president’s Award, a tribute award and five lifetime achievement awards. Find out who the winners are after the news.
IRAN The US secretary of state Marco Rubio said a peace deal with Iran would be reached within days, despite new US strikes on the country. Earlier, the US military said its forces had attacked Iranian missile launch sites and ships attempting to lay mines. A statement from US central command said the strikes were carried out to protect troops in the region from threats posed by the Iranian forces. The statement did not provide details about the attacks, but unconfirmed reports suggest the targets included two Iranian vessels linked to the Revolutionary Guards, believed to have laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. (AMP)
