September 3, 2026
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 03.09.2026, 13:55
Visit. Romania would like an “ambitious” future European Union budget, with substantial allocations for Cohesion and Agriculture, President Nicușor Dan said during a joint press conference with European Council President Antonio Costa. The president today hosted the European official, who is visiting to consult on Romania’s priorities and concerns. The Romanian president said the talks focused on the negotiation of the future EU budget for the 2028-2034 period. He noted that the country advocates for an “ambitious” budget that would enable Romania to narrow the gap with other European nations. The president of the EU Council Antonio Costa said that recent violations of Romanian airspace, as well as incidents involving maritime drones, are “deeply concerning” and the EU will continue to stand firmly with Romania, because the security of Romania is Europe’s security as well. “We must continue to work united for a just and lasting peace”, Costa said. He concluded by voicing his gratitude for the strong support Romania has provided to the Republic of Moldova on its path towards the European Union. The European Council President is travelling to Bulgaria and Greece today. He has already visited Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia and Luxembourg.
Drone. Russia’s ambassador to Bucharest, Vladimir Lipaev, will be summoned to the Romanian Foreign Ministry over the drone attack at Leipzig Airport, said Romania’s acting foreign minister Oana Ţoiu. She emphasised that the authorities in Bucharest stand in solidarity with Germany and other European states that have faced hybrid activities, interference and reckless, persistent provocations from Russia. “We are acting decisively and together, as EU member states and NATO allies,” Oana Ţoiu added. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gave assurances that pressure on Russia would continue and even intensify following a hybrid drone attack on Leipzig airport that has been blamed on Moscow.
Conference. Mirabela Grădinaru, the partner of the President of Romania, will attend an international conference on online safety and digital determinants of mental health and emotional well-being for children and adolescents held today in Chișinău, the capital of the Republic of Moldova. According to the president’s office in Bucharest, participants will include, among others, the president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, the EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Iwona Piorko, as well as representatives from UNICEF. A statement from the president’s office notes that Ms. Grădinaru has chaired a number of events in Bucharest discussing social issues, including online safety for young people.
Tennis. Romanian tennis player Sorana Cîrstea defeated France’s Diane Parry in straight sets in the second round of the US Open, the final Grand Slam tournament of the year. In the next round, 36-year-old Cîrstea, who is seeded 16th at this tournament, will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini on Friday. Cîrstea has had a good run in grand slams this year, reaching the second round of the Australian Open, the quarterfinals in Roland Garros and the third round at Wimbledon.
