The Week in Review 2-8 November

The headline-making events of the past week

Corina Cristea, 07.11.2026, 14:00

The Romanian Prime Minister held talks with the representatives of the foreign investors in Romania

Reviving the economy is the newly installed government’s top priority, while reducing the budget deficit and bringing inflation down are among its key complementary objectives. Prime Minister Luca Niculescu conveyed this message to representatives of foreign investors in Romania, whom he met on Wednesday. According to the Prime Minister, rebuilding confidence, in partnership with state institutions and Romanian companies, is essential to identifying the best solutions for the business community. The discussions come amid a sharp decline in foreign direct investment, which fell by more than 62% in the first eight months of this year compared with the same period last year. In 2025, foreign investment in Romania exceeded 8 billion Euros. Niculescu also noted that Romania’s recent 4.5 billion EURO fundraising on international financial markets was a positive signal and confirmation that overcoming the political deadlock in Bucharest had helped strengthen the country’s international credibility. The government is also seeking to improve the effectiveness of measures to combat tax evasion, accelerate the reduction of red tape and introduce standards in line with those of developed economies, while ensuring they better meet investors’ needs. From this perspective, accession to the OECD remains a key objective in raising Romania’s international profile and attracting foreign capital, Niculescu added. Business representatives, who put forward a number of concrete proposals to stimulate economic growth, called for a consistent programme of structural reforms to be maintained over the next six months. To facilitate dialogue with representatives of foreign investors, Luca Niculescu called for quarterly meetings attended by government officials.

US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby Visits Bucharest

President Nicușor Dan has called for a stronger US economic and military presence in Romania during a meeting in Bucharest with US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby. He reaffirmed Romania’s commitment to its strategic partnership with the United States, describing the country as an indispensable and reliable ally that contributes to regional deterrence and the projection of American power in the Black Sea region. According to the Romanian President, the Black Sea has become one of the most strategically dangerous and unstable maritime regions, facing a serious escalation in tensions and significant exposure to the spillover effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine. He also pointed out that Romania is facing the full spectrum of hybrid threats, ranging from cyberattacks and acts of sabotage to incursions by aerial and maritime drones, provocations and intensive disinformation campaigns. Dan stressed that Romania is making considerable efforts and committing substantial resources to managing major risks and addressing the consequences of an increasingly deteriorating security environment, but that support from its allies remains essential. Elbridge Colby also met with Romania’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers on the same day. On Thursday, he held talks with Prime Minister Luca Niculescu on strengthening the strategic partnership between Romania and the United States, with a particular focus on defence cooperation and Black Sea regional security. During the meeting, the Prime Minister advocated closer and more comprehensive cooperation with the United States in the defence industry, including joint projects in manufacturing, maintenance and logistical support.

Romanian reactions to the US election
Politicians from around the world, including Romania, have reacted to the sweeping victories secured by US Democrats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterm elections held during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Liberal MEP Siegfried Mureșan believes Romania must strengthen its partnership with the United States, both in the short and long term. This means working with the current US administration, whose term runs until 2029, as well as with the new congressional majority. Romania’s interests must be safeguarded through a partnership that remains strong beyond the term of any single leader and despite political changes in Washington, said Social Democratic MEP Victor Negrescu. He also stressed that Bucharest must work effectively with both Democrats and Republicans, adding that the strategic partnership with the United States should remain above electoral cycles. In an interview with a television broadcaster, Romania’s Ambassador to Washington, Andrei Muraru, said that Romania enjoys support from both the Republican and Democratic camps, regardless of the political makeup of the US Congress. Bucharest is seeking a stronger US military presence on NATO’s eastern flank, particularly in its southern section. According to the diplomat, such a presence would have implications extending beyond security, also affecting economic prosperity, energy prices and Romania’s attractiveness to foreign investors.

Partnership Between Romania and the Republic of Moldova
Romania and the Republic of Moldova have signed a landmark military partnership this week under the European SAFE programme, which aims to strengthen the defence capabilities of EU member states and partner countries by financing investments and encouraging joint procurement of military equipment. The armed forces of the two countries are set to jointly procure military vehicles manufactured by Italian company IVECO at its facility in Petrești, Dâmbovița County, southern Romania. According to Defence Minister Radu Oprea, the Romanian Army will receive nearly 3,000 such vehicles, while the Republic of Moldova will acquire 62. In Chișinău, Moldova’s Defence Minister, Anatolie Nosatîi, said that all the trucks to be purchased under the agreement would help strengthen the logistical and operational capabilities of the country’s armed forces.
Recently, Romania and the Republic of Moldova also discussed the possibility of developing joint counter-drone defence programmes, as drones are being increasingly detected in the airspace of both countries amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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