January 27, 2026
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 27.01.2026, 13:55
HOLOCAUST – The International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marked on January 27, is dedicated to the memory of and reflection on one of the greatest tragedies in the history of humanity, Romanian President Nicușor Dan said in a message conveyed on this occasion. This commemoration reminds us, in a painful way, the head of state added, how precious freedom, human dignity and the guarantee of fundamental rights are, as well as the importance of defending them at all costs. According to the president, the commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust becomes all the more relevant in a world where collective memory seems to be fading and extremist movements are on the rise. Nicușor Dan emphasized that Romania participates in the effort to raise awareness of this tragedy by educating young people and condemning extremist movements, attempts to denigrate the Holocaust and falsely rewrite history. January 27 is the date on which, in 1945, the largest Nazi extermination camp at Auschwitz Birkenau, today in Poland, was liberated by the Soviet army.
VISIT – The Prime Minister of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, is paying a 2-day official visit to Germany at the invitation of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. According to a Government statement, the visit is part of the excellent relationship between Romania and Germany, which, although not formally based on a Strategic Partnership as such, has a strategic character and emphasizes areas like economic and trade cooperation, European affairs and security. Germany is Romania’s most important trading partner, with a share of over 20% of total Romanian exports. In 2024, bilateral trade was about 42 billion euros. Ilie Bolojan will meet, at the Romanian Embassy in Germany, with representatives of the Romanian community. Romanians constitute the fourth largest community of foreigners in Germany, with approximately 910,000 people. Before leaving for Berlin earlier today, Prime Minister Bolojan has had a meeting in Bucharest with representatives of the Fitch rating agency, about the latest economic measures prepared by the Government and about the construction of the state budget for this year.
NEGOTIATIONS – In Romania, the parties in the ruling coalition (PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR) continue negotiations to reach a consensus on economic recovery measures. All parties have proposals that need to be harmonized. In addition, the coalition must agree on the way to adopt the package of measures, that is, together or separately from the one on public administration reform. The Government will take responsibility before Parliament for all these measures, as they are essential in drafting the national budget for this year. The parties in power have also analyzed the draft budget for this year. In addition, the Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare, is to go to the European Commission on Wednesday and discuss this budget, which structured on a deficit target of 6.2% of GDP for this year.
SAFE – The Romanian government has presented the projects that will receive financing through the European defense program SAFE – Security Action for Europe. Under this program, Romania has over 16 billion euros, amounts borrowed at an advantageous interest rate and repayable over the long term. 4.2 billion euros will be invested in improving military and civilian infrastructure, 9.6 billion will go to the Ministry of Defense, and approximately 3 billion to the Ministry of Interior and Civil Protection. Most of the joint projects carried out with other states will be with France and Germany, said Defense Minister Radu Miruţă.
INVESTMENT – In Romania, investments increased by approximately 16% last year, to 138 billion lei (about 28 billion euros), and reached 7.2% of GDP, said Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare. “The contribution of European funds to investments has increased, from 58% to 78%, and the contribution of national funds has decreased slightly. This is a very important step,” Minister Nazare also said on a private television station.
BOOK FAIR – Romania is participating, until February 3, as the guest of honour, in the 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, one of the most important publishing events in the world. Romania’s participation in this fair includes 30 cultural events, 60 special guests (authors, publishers, translators, artists, academics), 10 titles translated into Arabic for the first time and 10 participating Romanian publishing houses. Debates and round tables dedicated to contemporary Romanian literature, poetry, prose and intercultural dialogue are taking place, with an important emphasis on translations and editorial dialogue, through the launch of Romanian volumes translated into Arabic. (EE)
