March 31, 2026 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 31.03.2026, 19:53

Government. On Tuesday, the Romanian Government adopted an emergency ordinance extending the cap on markups for basic foodstuffs until June 30. “We are now in the fifteenth month of this price cap, which has been periodically renewed through emergency ordinances. The measure remains in effect under the same conditions as before, covering a range of basic food items. There is a list, starting with: white bread, yogurt, eggs, oil, chicken, pork, and so on,” announced Government Spokesperson Ioana Nadina Dogioiu at the end of the Government meeting. The governing coalition agreed on Monday to cap the markup on basic foodstuffs for another three months. Meanwhile, the government aims to finalize, by the end of this week, the mechanism through which authorities will reduce the excise tax on fuels. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced that diesel will be the first to be targeted by this measure, as it is the most widely used fuel in Romania.

Moldova. On Tuesday in Bucharest, President Nicuşor Dan assured Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu that the Republic of Moldova can always count on Romania’s support, whether regarding accession to the European Union, ensuring energy security, or increasing resilience in the face of hybrid threats. On social media, the head of state stated that Romania and the Republic of Moldova have “many major projects that are giving increasingly significant substance to the bilateral relationship.” ‘Cross-border interconnection projects in the fields of energy, infrastructure, transportation, and digital networks are particularly important for increasing the Republic of Moldova’s connectivity to the European Union through Romania,’ the head of state emphasized.  Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also assured his counterpart from the neighboring country in Bucharest that Romania will continue to support the Republic of Moldova both bilaterally and in advancing its European path.  In turn, Alexandru Munteanu thanked the Romanian Government for its support and cooperation. The two reviewed the status of implementation of joint interconnection projects, improvements to border transit conditions for citizens and goods, as well as strategic cooperation in the fields of energy and transport infrastructure.

Protest. The National Council for Disability in Romania organized a protest on Tuesday near the Government headquarters. The main grievances concern the level of disability benefits and recent changes to their taxation. “Our benefits are at 2024 levels, while prices have risen at an alarming rate. Our tax exemptions have been revoked, and we have been granted insignificant reductions. We demand a return to full tax exemptions and the abolition of medical evaluation criteria, as they are abusive,” Council President Daniela Tontsch told AGERPRES. She said that approximately 10,000 people with very severe disabilities were reclassified into lower disability categories and, as a result, were left without personal assistants and without benefits.

Kyiv. European foreign ministers reaffirmed their firm support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in a joint statement issued Tuesday in Kyiv. The ministers declared their “unwavering commitment to ensuring that the Russian Federation is held fully accountable for any violations of international law in Ukraine or against Ukraine.” Foreign Minister Oana Toiu represented Romania at the informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Kyiv, which took place in the presence of the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas. The European officials’ visit to Ukraine began in Bucha with a ceremony commemorating the victims of the invasion four years ago. Present at the ceremony, the President of the Romanian Senate, Mircea Abrudean, stated that “the Bucha massacre stands as a testament to the cruelest and most inhumane acts committed by Russian armed forces during the occupation of the town on the outskirts of Kyiv. And this must not only be condemned; it must never happen again, anywhere in this world,” emphasized the President of the Romanian Senate.

Visit. President Nicuşor Dan received Tony Murphy, President of the European Court of Auditors, on Tuesday during his official visit to Romania. On this occasion, the head of state called for the adoption of an ambitious European budget that reflects the European Union’s current and future priorities, emphasizing cohesion, competitiveness, and the ability to adapt to new challenges. According to the Presidential Administration, the discussions focused on both parties’ commitment to strengthening oversight mechanisms and ensuring the efficient and proper management of European funds for the benefit of citizens. For his part, Tony Murphy emphasized that the institution he leads is an essential pillar of the EU’s architecture of trust. He highlighted, the Presidential Administration further notes, the importance of close cooperation with national audit institutions to strengthen the protection of the Union’s financial interests and the quality of public governance.

Project. European Commission Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, the European Commissioner for Social Rights, Skills, Quality Jobs, and Preparedness, stated on Tuesday that Romanian authorities should also focus on social sustainability, in addition to the efficient management of European funds. According to her, discussions at the EU level are currently focusing less on sustainable development and more on competitiveness and security. The official participated in Bucharest in the launch of a project for the efficient management of non-reimbursable external funds and for monitoring their contribution to sustainable development and Romania’s circular economy. Also in Bucharest, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, reviewed with Romanian authorities connectivity projects, initiatives, and strategies that stimulate economic cohesion and support supply chains. At a specialized conference, the commissioner stated that “infrastructure is currently a strategic asset that can provide resilience, security, and long-term prosperity.” According to him, the EU’s objective is very clear: infrastructure must be suitable for both civilian and military use. (MI)