THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Corina Cristea, 11.10.2025, 13:19

Decisions on measures to reduce the budget deficit

The Constitutional Court postponed this week, for the second time, the decision regarding the pensions of magistrates. The draft law, for which the government has committed itself to Parliament, provides for the reduction of the pensions of magistrates and the gradual increase of their retirement age, from 48 to 65 years. In return, the judges of the Constitutional Court rejected the complaints of the opposition parties regarding the health reform and state-owned companies, so that both projects received the green light for promulgation. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan assessed that the decisions of the Constitutional Court so far allow the Government to reduce unnecessary positions, to cap allowances, to cut excessive salaries and to bring efficiency to public health. It is not easy to change wrong patterns, formed over the years, but, every day, we make efforts to put things right – the head of the executive pointed out. Most likely on Monday, the members of the governing coalition would present a final version of the measures for the reform of the public administration – part of the efforts to reduce the very large budget deficit.

Discussions in the US between the heads of diplomacy from Bucharest and Washington

On a two-day visit to Washington, on October 8 and 9, the head of diplomacy from Bucharest, Oana Țoiu, had political-diplomatic talks with her American counterpart, Marco Rubio, who, on this occasion, recognized Romania’s efforts to fulfill its commitments regarding defense spending and the role of security provider in the Black Sea. Strengthening the strategic partnership between Romania and the US and identifying opportunities to expand it were the main topics of the first bilateral meeting of the two officials. Oana Țoiu addressed with Marco Rubio the agendas of defense, security, energy and economy, as well as the positive influence that the two countries can have in the neighborhood. The Romanian and American ministers also discussed the role of US companies in Romanian projects in the nuclear, civilian and gas sectors, as well as opportunities for further economic cooperation. The Visa Waiver file was also addressed, with the Romanian official highlighting the advantages that the elimination of visas would bring to bilateral cooperation in the field of border security, as well as in tourism. A distinct point of discussion was the role of the Romanian community in the US, an essential bridge between the two societies and an active factor in strengthening bilateral relations. The two officials also discussed the visit that President Nicuşor Dan is expected to make to Washington in the first quarter of next year, during which the Romanian leader is expected to meet with President Donald Trump.

Visit to Bucharest of the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen

The European Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, was in Romania for a two-day visit, during which he had meetings with Romanian officials, with representatives of farmers and agricultural producers. The future Common Agricultural Policy of the EU must remain balanced and benefit from an adequate budget, given that some member states propose to reduce European funds – Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan told him, during discussions on Wednesday. Romania receives at least 16.6 billion euros through the future Common Agricultural Policy, being the sixth largest beneficiary of funds in the field, Christophe Hansen stated, on Thursday, at a national conference on agricultural issues. Present at the same event, the Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, warned, however, that the budget allocated to Romania is 5 billion euros lower than that provided for in the 2014-2020 strategic program. According to the minister, the new Common Agricultural Policy should also include clearly established funds through which it will be possible to intervene promptly regarding compensation in the event of calamity. The Commissioner specified that Romania will receive 11.5 million euros from the agricultural reserve to support farmers whose production was affected by the spring frost.

Romanian proposal to establish a maritime security hub in the Black Sea

Romania is proposing to the European Union the establishment of a maritime security hub in the Black Sea, which it would coordinate. This structure would also include countries that are not members of the Union, but have access to the Black Sea. The Minister of Investments and European Projects, Dragoş Pîslaru, stated that the aim is to support projects both in the field of defense and for the development of the entire region:

“A maritime security hub, which aims to bring concrete actions to strengthen security, both in terms of, obviously, the defense area, but also in terms of critical infrastructures – let’s not forget that we have Neptun Deep, we have the coastal protection area, drones fly around the Black Sea, but also in terms of protecting trade, the port of Constanta – these are old plans, let’s develop them in a European context. And now, here, it is very appropriate to do it, especially in this security perspective and, of course, with the broader perspective of developing the entire area.”

The proposal was discussed on Thursday in Bucharest, within the framework of an international conference on how the Union’s strategy for the Black Sea can be put into practice.