Measures for the Romanians in areas of conflict
The repatriation of Romanian citizens who are currently in areas of conflict in the Middle East is Bucharest’s number one priority.
Roxana Vasile, 03.03.2026, 14:00
From the very first day of the now expanding conflict in the Middle East, the Romanian authorities said their priority is to bring home all Romanian citizens who are now in the region, whether on holiday, for work or as residents, and whose number is quite high. As the situation has been escalating constantly, the ministries are coordinating among themselves to provide Romanian citizens with the necessary assistance, including monitoring of serious medical cases. According to foreign minister Oana Țoiu, 14,000 Romanian nationals are currently in the United Arab Emirates alone. She urged them to make their whereabouts known, in order to keep track of their numbers.
“The solution is to fill out the form available at econsulat.ro, the mobile application or using one of the many phone numbers available. Some calls are taken by our colleagues in Dubai, others by our colleagues in Bucharest, who, both in Dubai and in Bucharest, will be able to provide a limited set of information, because neither they, nor we, nor any other member state of the European Union, has certain knowledge about the opening of airspace until the respective authorities do so.”
Romanians were urged to follow, first of all, the official advice received in the countries they are currently in. Meanwhile, at home, the authorities are coordinating with travel agencies, tour operators and airlines to facilitate repatriations. The launch of two WhatsApp channels was announced, providing information from diplomatic missions and another for Romanians in the Middle East, to facilitate their access to official information. The number of foreign ministry call centre operators has also been boosted. At European level, the civil mechanism for emergency situations has been activated. Oana Ţoiu explains:
“It means coordinating with the other member states of the European Union, so that, when a member state can send plane, whether it’s civilian aircraft or military aircraft, we’ll see if that transport can also take urgent cases from other member states, what is the fastest option for each urgent case, which in some cases it can be together with another member state, just as we can also, sometimes, depending on the number of places available, help other member states. It is also a mechanism that provides joint financial resources necessary for these operations.ʺ
Although the situation is extremely difficult, the authorities are telling Romanians in the Middle East to be cautious, to remain calm and to be patient, assuring them that they are considering all options to bring them home.
