September 16, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of national and international news.
Newsroom, 16.09.2026, 19:59
SHIELD – Romanian ports on the Black Sea and the Danube are to be protected with modern anti-drone equipment. The Romanian Naval Forces have already begun testing an anti-drone shield at the Constanța Military Port, using Black Talon equipment. It will be installed in cooperation with the United States Navy and will be capable of detecting, identifying and classifying unmanned aerial and surface systems. To further strengthen port security, the Romanian Naval Forces will also install Sentinel systems, sonars capable of detecting underwater drones, as well as combat and reconnaissance divers and even mini-submarines. Black Talon and Sentinel systems will also be installed at the ports of Brăila, Tulcea and Mangalia. Operators are currently undergoing training, meaning the systems are expected to become operational by the end of October and begin monitoring threats within the range of the military ports.
CONSULTATIONS – Romanian President Nicuşor Dan has called political consultations for Thursday with representatives of parliamentary parties and political groupings, as he seeks to nominate a candidate for prime minister. The head of state has postponed the nomination because parliamentary parties have been unable to agree on a formula that would secure the necessary majority in the legislature. The opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD), a left-wing party, says it is ready to join the government. The National Liberal Party (PNL) and Save Romania Union (USR), both centre-right parties which, together with the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), are currently supporting the caretaker government, do not want to join an executive alongside the Social Democrats. PSD, PNL and USR have also not ruled out the possibility of early elections, an option backed by the opposition Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), a populist nationalist party, since the political crisis began. In early May, parliament passed a no-confidence motion initiated by PSD and AUR against the cabinet led by liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, who continues to serve in a caretaker capacity.
SHIP – The Romanian Navy’s training sailing ship Mircea, has returned to the Constanţa Military Port after completing its fourth transatlantic voyage in history. The vessel, a prominent ambassador for Romania abroad, carried out representational missions across three continents. On board were second-year military students from the Mircea cel Bătrân Naval Academy, as well as 19 foreign students from naval academies in 10 partner countries. Over five months, the sailing ship took part in at-sea training activities and representational events at ports of call. The vessel, a symbol of Romania’s naval training tradition, also took part in ceremonies marking the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States. During more than 150 days at sea, the ship covered approximately 14,000 nautical miles and called at 15 ports in Italy, Spain, Portugal, the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Tunisia, Greece and Turkey.
CONFERENCE – Romania’s Foreign Minister Oana Ţoiu, who is serving as acting foreign minister, is attending the 70th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, which runs until Friday. According to Romania’s Foreign Ministry, in her address to the plenary session, Oana Ţoiu will reiterate Romania’s firm support for the peaceful, safe and responsible use of nuclear energy, in line with international standards and requirements. Her official agenda also includes talks with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on nuclear non-proliferation issues. Romania’s delegation includes representatives of the Energy Ministry and institutions responsible for nuclear energy, the Foreign Ministry said.
PROTESTS – Farmers have a legitimate right to protest, but it is unacceptable for that right and their demands to be distorted, hijacked and turned into reprehensible actions, acting Agriculture Minister Tánczos Barna said, referring to violent incidents in Bucharest on Tuesday. He said the authorities had prepared a number of measures in recent months to support sheep farmers affected by peste des petits ruminants and sheep pox. Romania, together with Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia and Cyprus, has launched a joint initiative to make the measures more flexible and avoid restrictions considered disproportionate. The proposal is expected to be discussed towards the end of this month at a meeting of the Council of Ministers. A draft action plan for managing outbreaks has also been completed, along with a draft law for the sheep-farming sector, providing both compensation for farmers and financial support schemes. A protest by farmers and livestock breeders held in the capital on Tuesday escalated into violent clashes with law enforcement officers. Forty-seven participants who committed offences were taken by gendarmes to police stations.
(EE)
