July 16, 2026

A roundup of domestic and world news

Newsroom, 16.07.2026, 13:55

Urban Planning – President Nicuşor Dan is meeting today with representatives of the former governing coalition in Bucharest for discussions on the Urban Planning Code. It is one of the most important bills in the field of territorial development, intended to simplify and unify the rules regarding territorial development, construction authorization and urban planning. The Urban Planning Code is, at the same time, one of the outstanding milestones in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), and European funds of about 1 billion Euros depend on its adoption. The adoption of the laws assumed through the PNRR is essential for Romania to be able to access non-refundable European money intended for investments and to be able to finance loans at reasonable costs, recalls interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. In a message posted on his social media page, he writes that only in this way can Romania demonstrate that it is a reliable partner in the EU. The dismissed Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan specified that the amount of over 4.5 billion non-reimbursable euros that Bucharest still has at its disposal if it adopts the reforms passed in the PNRR is money for highways and railways, for new hospitals and the modernization of schools, for investments in energy and apartment buildings. He recalls, at the same time, that the funds from the PNRR act as an engine of economic growth, and without them, rating agencies and investors may lose confidence in Romania, with effects on borrowing costs, both for the state, companies and citizens.

Meeting – Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, interim Energy Minister, met in Bucharest with the Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia, Ms. Dubravka Dedovic Handanovic. The discussions were followed by the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Serbia to facilitate the exchange of information on the Djerdap 3 pumped storage hydropower plant project. ‘Romania and Serbia have a long history of cooperation in the energy sector, the Iron Gates I and II projects are projects built together, which have been operating for decades and which are important for both countries. Today we open the discussion on a possible new project. The memorandum we signed today creates the necessary framework for an exchange of information on the Djerdap 3 pumped storage hydroelectric power plant project and to understand exactly what benefits it can bring, but also what impact it can have’ declared Ilie Bolojan in a joint press conference. ‘The Djerdap 3 joint pumped-storage hydropower plant represents a strategic initiative that will place our region in a much more advantageous position on the Eastern European balancing market. This power plant will be able to integrate a larger renewable energy capacity, thus supporting the energy transition and promoting a cleaner energy sector. And then, if built, Djerdap 3 will become the largest storage facility in this part of Europe, if not the largest in Europe’ the Serbian minister said in turn.

Football – Romania’s football vice-champions, Universitatea Cluj (north-west), meets, tonight, on its home field, the Ukrainian team Dinamo Kiev, in the second leg of the first preliminary round of the Europa League. In the first leg, ”U” Cluj drew, 0-0, in Lublin, Poland. If it passes Dinamo Kiev, ”U” Cluj will play in the second preliminary round with the Greek team PAOK Thessaloniki. Champion Universitatea Craiova qualified, on Wednesday, in the second preliminary round of the Champions League, after defeating the Belarusian team ML Vitebsk, score 1-0, on its home field, in the second leg of the first preliminary round. In the first leg, Universitatea Craiova won 4-1 away, and in the next phase it will play against the Bulgarian team Levski Sofia.

Visit – The working visit of the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Ţoiu, to the USA continues until July 17. The discussions in Washington follow those held at the NATO Summit and the bilateral ones held in Bucharest, focused on security, economy and the social security agreement between Romania and the USA, which will enter into force on September 1. ’In the year in which the United States celebrates 250 years since the proclamation of independence, this connection takes on even greater significance, highlighting how democracy and fundamental freedoms support a common vision regarding the consolidation of the Strategic Partnership, both within NATO and at the regional level, in order to ensure increased security, economic growth and quality jobs – essential objectives that the two countries share’, Oana Ţoiu said.

Summit – Participants in the Ukraine-Southeastern Europe summit signed a joint declaration in Kyiv reaffirming their support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops. The 20-point document also states that European leaders support Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and NATO. The only one who did not sign the final declaration was the president of Serbia. Romania was represented by President Nicuşor Dan, who stated that the participants in the meeting stressed that the war in Ukraine affects the security of Southeastern Europe, the Western Balkans and the Black Sea region.

Statistics – Romania ranks last in the European Union in terms of working life expectancy, with an estimated 32.7 years in 2025, up from 32.2 years in 2023, according to data published Thursday by Eurostat. According to the study, people aged 15 and older in the EU were expected to work, on average, 37.5 years in 2025, compared to 37.2 years in 2024. However, there are significant differences among EU member states. In seven member states, all of which are Nordic countries, the average expected working life is 40 years or even longer. In contrast, Romania (32.7 years), Italy (33), and Bulgaria (34.6) have the shortest working lives, Eurostat further reports. (LS)