March 12, 2026
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 12.03.2026, 13:55
Zelenskyy in Romania
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is conducting an official visit to Bucharest today. The agenda for talks with President Nicușor Dan includes the strengthening of a lasting bilateral relationship, given that Romania has represented a pillar of support for Ukraine since the first days of the war in the neighboring country, offering assistance on multiple levels.
The two heads of state are also addressing topics such as the expansion of economic cooperation, energy security and the defense industry. At the same time, the dialogue targets Ukraine’s European path and the security situation on the Eastern Flank. An essential point on the agenda for talks is also the protection of the rights of the Romanian minority in Ukraine, with an emphasis on access to education in their mother tongue.
Parliament greenlights the deployment of US equipment and forces to Romania
The Romanian Parliament on Wednesday approved the request for the temporary deployment in Romania of American defensive equipment and military forces in the context of the crisis in the Middle East. The decision had been previously taken in a meeting of the Supreme Defense Council, convened by President Nicușor Dan.
According to the head of state, this involves refueling aircraft, monitoring equipment and satellite communication equipment in coordination with the anti-missile defense shield at Deveselu. Also in Wednesday’s session, Council members discussed the situation of Romanians caught in the war in the Middle East, as well as the economic fallout from of the conflict, including the rise of prices on the international oil market.
The 2026 state budget
The Government in Bucharest could approve Romania’s 2026 budget today. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan argued that he wants the government to swiftly adopt the bill by the end of this week, so that it can be quickly submitted to Parliament for debate and vote. Designed against a difficult economic backdrop, the budget aims to reset the Romanian economy on solid foundations, with record investments reaching, for the first time, 8% of GDP. It also seeks to reduce the budget deficit, manage the high cost of interest on the country’s loans, and increase the efficiency of public administration.
Repatriation flights for Romanians caught in conflict zones continue
A new evacuation flight for Romanian citizens from vulnerable categories in the Middle East conflict zone is scheduled for today. The flight is organized through the European Union’s RescEU mechanism. The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu ahead of hearings in the Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Policy Committee, during which she was questioned about the management of the situation. The quota allocated for this evacuation flight is 130 seats, Oana Țoiu said, adding that minors, especially those of young ages, remain a priority. The Foreign Minister mentioned that, so far, approximately 5,700 Romanians have arrived safely back home. Over half returned via flights organized by the Romanian state or facilitated by Bucharest authorities.
Conflict in the Middle East
The war in the Middle East has entered its 13th day, and the regime in Tehran has threatened that, from now on, it will target economic centers and banks in countries across the region, as well as the offices of American giants such as Amazon, Google or Microsoft. In parallel, Iran’s strategy of strikes and pressure on the regional energy industry continues, with global effects, the declared stake being to determine, thereby, an end to American and Israeli strikes.
The Strait of Hormuz, a navigable waterway for the transport of oil and liquefied gas, is de facto blocked. The UN Security Council on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning “any action or threat” by Iran “aimed at closing, obstructing or interfering in any way with international navigation in the strait”. At the same time, it demands an immediate stop to Iranian attacks on the Gulf states and Jordan, which have been targeted by numerous strikes since the start of the conflict.
Fuel prices continue to rise
Fuel prices have risen significantly in Romania following the debut of the new conflict in the Middle East. Increases are being recorded worldwide, with the oil barrel fluctuating around the $100 mark. Financial markets are awaiting the release of a massive quantity of oil from the strategic reserves of the major powers to counteract the explosion of tariffs. The decision was taken on Wednesday in Paris by representatives of the 32 member countries of the International Energy Agency. 400 million barrels are expected to reach the global market soon, the largest quantity of resources ever released from these reserves.
At the same time, the militarization of the Strait of Hormuz is at the center of the world’s major concerns, given its crucial role in the transport of fuel. French President Emmanuel Macron urged all G7 leaders to coordinate their efforts to quickly restore freedom of navigation and maritime security.
Labor productivity report
Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Poland could improve labor productivity by up to 10-15% through the large-scale adoption of digital technologies, especially software and tools based on artificial intelligence, according to the latest report published on Thursday by the World Bank Group. According to the report, a faster and broader adoption of new technologies, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises, would contribute to accelerating economic growth and strengthening competitiveness across the entire region. Spending on research and development in the four countries currently remains below the European Union average, under 1.5% of GDP, compared to 2.2% at community level. (VP)
