January 25-31, 2026

A review of the most important events of the past week.

Daniela Budu, 31.01.2026, 14:00

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan discussed, on Wednesday, in Berlin, with, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, topics like bilateral cooperation in the field of defense, the military industry, support for Ukraine, the European path of the Republic of Moldova, as well as the diversification of German investments in Romania and the importance of the German and Romanian minorities. Ilie Bolojan emphasized that we are going through a period of uncertainty, marked by pressures on European economies, the war in Ukraine and global competition, which forces more efficient decision-making. In this context, Romania aims to develop collaboration with Germany. Ilie Bolojan: “I discussed with Chancellor Merz the increase in investments in strategic areas, such as energy, industry and defense, including by capitalizing on European instruments, such as the SAFE program. These are areas that will decide Europe’s competitiveness in the coming years and where Romania wants to be a partner you can rely on.” The Prime Minister emphasized that the two states share the same vision on the importance of restoring peace and security in the Black Sea region. He added that air defense is one of Romania’s priorities, and Germany’s contribution in this area is necessary and appreciated. In turn, the Federal Chancellor said that the two states jointly assume responsibility for Europe’s security. Our countries are not only interconnected from a defense point of view, but numerous German companies are also active on the Romanian market, where they make investments, create jobs and contribute to the modernization of the Romanian economy, the German Chancellor said. In Berlin, alongside the Prime Minister, was also the Minister of Defense, Radu Miruţă, who signed with his counterpart, Boris Pistorius, a memorandum on collaboration in the defense industry with financing under the European SAFE program. Through this collaboration, Romania will purchase equipment at lower prices, and their delivery will be faster, Radu Miruţă said.

The projects that will benefit from financing through the Security Action For Europe European (SAFE) defense program, were presented by the government in Bucharest. Through this program, Romania benefits over 16 billion euros, the second largest amount allocated to a member state, after Poland. The money will be borrowed at an interest rate of no more than 3%, and the repayment will be made over a period of 30 years, starting in 2035. 4.2 billion euros are intended for the improvement of dual, military and civilian infrastructure, 9.6 billion go to the Ministry of Defense and approximately 3 billion to the Ministry of Interior and Civil Protection. Defense Minister Radu Miruţă said that his ministry will carry out 21 projects, of which 10 are joint purchases with other states and 11 are intended exclusively for Romania. The Ministry of Interior will purchase specific equipment and weapons, and Civil Protection will buy new equipment, intended for the transport of a larger number of patients at the same time, and will diversify its travel routes on land, water and air. In this context, the Minister of Defense discussed, on Monday, with Raymond Piselli, vice president of the American company Lockheed Martin, one of Romania’s main partners in the field of industrial cooperation and military equipment.

In Brussels, Romania supported, on Wednesday, along with eight other countries, its candidacy to host the future European Union Customs Agency. Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare told MEPs that Bucharest has several advantages to host the headquarters of the new agency, from the geographical location of the capital city to digital skills, and Romania has proven that it can manage sensitive data, with the establishment of the European Cybersecurity Center. The new European customs agency would monitor billions of parcels entering the community block, after the Union amended its legislation on parcels under 150 euros, previously tax-free. In Brussels, Alexandru Nazare also met with Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, to discuss Romania’s budget deficit, which according to commitments, should decrease to around 6% of GDP in 2026. It should be noted, however, that the Bucharest Government estimates that it will need approximately 275 billion lei this year, the equivalent of 55 billion euros, to cover the expected budget deficit, but also to refinance the public debt due this year, of 3.25 billion euros. In April, the European Commission will publish the first economic analyses for this year, in a report that will detail the situation of each state. Until then, the Fitch Financial Rating Agency will announce Romania’s rating on February 13. After the meeting with Fitch representatives, Alexandru Nazare said that the authorities are not only counting on maintaining the current rating, but also on improving the country’s performance and rating in the coming period.

In 2025, the budget deficit was 1% lower than the previous year, according to the official data presented by the Ministry of Finance in Bucharest. This is a cash budget deficit, that is, the difference between the total level of expenses and revenues, of just over 146 billion lei (almost 30 billion euros), representing 7.65% of the Gross Domestic Product, below the one assumed before the European Commission, of 8.4 percent. Minister Alexandru Nazare explains these results by the significant investments financed from non-reimbursable funds and by fiscal discipline measures. As for investments, they increased last year by approximately 16%, up to 138 billion lei (over 27 billion euros) and reached 7.2% of GDP, Alexandru Nazare also announced. (EE)