September 22, 2025 UPDATE (2)
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 22.09.2025, 20:00
TALKS – The European Commission hails the Romanian Government’s bold efforts to balance Romania’s budget and says it is important that reforms continue, Romania’s Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan concluded following his visit to Brussels on Monday, where he met with three European Commissioners. The Prime Minister discussed with the European Commissioner for the Economy, Valdis Dombrovskis, regarding the measures taken by Romania to reduce the budget deficit, a topic all the more important as the government in Bucharest is preparing a budget adjustment, which must reflect the targets assumed by the Romanian authorities. Another related topic is the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which was recently modified by Romania and submitted to Brussels, in order to attract as many funds as possible for delayed projects, which would help stabilize the economy. The Prime Minister also met with Andrius Kubilius, the EU Commissioner for Defense. Talks focused on projects worth almost €17 billion, which Romania wants to implement by 2030, with favorable funding terms part of the European SAFE program. These are strictly military projects, but also some with dual use, such as highways in eastern Romania. The last point on Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s agenda was the meeting with Roxana Mînzatu, the EU Commissioner for Social Affairs. Talks focused on the future multiannual budget of the EU, from which Romania will attract non-reimbursable funds.
UN – About 140 heads of state and government are expected in New York for the annual UN summit, marking 80 years since the creation of the United Nations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to launch the so-called UN Initiative 80, aimed at ushering in a systemic reform of the UN. The summit will also be attended by President Donald Trump, who has operated massive cuts to US foreign aid since his arrival at the White House, impacting many UN agencies struggling with growing humanitarian needs. A topical focus will be the future of the Palestinians and Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister accused Western leaders who recognize the state of Palestine of “rewarding terrorism”. Benjamin Netanyahu said that Palestinians will never have a state and announced that Israel will respond to coordinated statements from Great Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal, which on Sunday announced the official recognition of a Palestinian state. Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday and says he plans to meet again with president Trump in New York to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
INCIDENT – Ambassadors from the 32 NATO member states will meet in Brussels on Tuesday at Estonia’s request to discuss Russia’s violation of the country’s airspace, a NATO official told the media. Estonia has called for consultations based on Article 4 in the NATO Treaty after Russian military aircraft illegally entered Estonian airspace on Friday. The article provides for consultations between NATO members if one of them considers itself threatened. Russian fighter jets flew over Estonian territory for 12 minutes, prompting NATO and EU protests over a new provocation from Moscow, which has dismissed the allegations. Romania condemns the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Ţoiu wrote on X, adding that this is further reason for adopting a new package of sanctions against Russia. “As a member of the EU and NATO and as a country facing such Russian challenges, Romania fully stands in solidarity with Estonia”, Oana Ţoiu also wrote. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also sent a firm message to Moscow after the recent incursions of Russian planes and drones into the airspace of Poland, Romania and Estonia.
MOLDOVA – This is the last week of the election campaign in the Republic of Moldova ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary election, deemed crucial for the future of the country. The vote will decide whether the Republic of Moldova will continue on its path towards the EU or turn back to Russia. Over 20 political parties and electoral blocs have enrolled in the race for the Moldovan Parliament. According to surveys, the “Action and Solidarity” Party founded by president Maia Sandu, with a pro-European orientation, is favorite to win the election, although the score will not secure a majority. In the context of the war in Ukraine, accusations of Russian interference in the domestic affairs of the Republic are increasing. Every week, the police and prosecutors signal complicated schemes of illegal party funding, vote buying and money laundering. (VP)
