January 18, 2026
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 18.01.2026, 13:55
TRADE Following the implementation of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement the present custom duties, of up to 55%, on agrifood products from the EU will be eliminated enabling the Romanian farmers to increase their exports to the South-American trade bloc, says a document posted on the webpage of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade, (DG TRADE). Agriproducts presently account for only 5% of the total EU exports to Mercosur, due to high customs duties and other restrictions imposed by the South American trade bloc. In 2024, the value of exported Romanian agriproducts stood at one million Euros. 15 Romanian products with geographical indication, the so-called GIs, are going to benefit from protection on Mercosur markets. According to DG TRADE, the Romanian companies are going to benefit from business facilities in the Mercosur countries. Romanian service providers will be able to offer cheaper services and more easily, while Romanian producers of agrifood and industrial equipment will be able to increase their exports and Romanian-made delicatessen will be sold in larger quantities and at better prices. On Saturday in Asuncion, Paraguay, the EU and Mercosur countries signed a historical trade agreement marking the end of 25 years of negotiations and the creation of the largest free-trade area in the world with over 700 million inhabitants, accounting for 30% of the world’s GDP.
DRONES On Saturday night, Romania’s surveillance systems detected a group of Russian drones flying in the Ukrainian airspace, 10 kilometers north of the border with Romania. Two F-16 fighter jets from the Fetesti airbase were ordered to monitor the targets. The mission was cancelled after 10 minutes as the drones had disappeared from the radar and the aircraft remained on the ground. Since Russia started its war against Ukraine, over 70 drone attacks have been registered close to Romania’s border.
BOARD The Presidential Administration in Bucharest on Sunday has confirmed it received a letter the US President, Donald Trump addressed to his Romanian counterpart, Nicusor Dan, which has the formal invitation that Romania become member of the so-called Board of Peace. A couple of days ago, the US leader announced the setting up of a peace and transition council for Gaza. According to Reuters, almost all European states have been invited to join the board, with the exception of the three Baltic States. Israel is contesting the board, saying that some of the appointments were ‘not coordinated with Israel and were contrary to its policy’.
WEATHER The latest cold wave is going to have most of Romania’s regions in its grip until the middle of next week, meteorologists say. Freezing temperatures are going to be felt today in the country’s east, center and south-east, and the phenomenon will expand to the entire territory with the exception of two western counties. As of Monday, almost the entire Romanian territory is bracing up for more freezing weather with lows ranging between – 20 and – 10 degrees Celsius. Today’s highs are between -12 and zero degrees Celsius with a noon reading in Bucharest of -6.
MATCH Romania’s national handball side is today meeting the strong side of Denmark in its second Group B match of the European Championship underway in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. In its first match on Friday, Romania conceded a 40-34 defeat to Portugal. In the other match of the group, Denmark clinched a 36-24 win against North Macedonia. Also today, two Romanian women’s sides, CSM Bucharest and CS Bistrita are up against their opponents in the Champions League groups.
(bill)
