European Commissioners in Bucharest
Two European commissioners visited Romania recently, for talks with decision-makers in Bucharest
Corina Cristea, 28.10.2025, 13:50
The main challenges in the energy and housing sectors, as well as ways to strengthen Romania’s cooperation with the European Commission in these areas, were the main topics of the discussions that European Commissioner Dan Jorgensen had on Monday in Bucharest with Prime Minister IlieBolojan and Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan, with whom he participated in the ministerial meeting of the High-Level Group for Energy Connectivity in Central and South-Eastern Europe.
One of the main themes of the meeting, as well as of the overall collaboration, is that Southeast Europe would benefit more if it were more interconnected, Commissioner Jorgensen said. The EU intends to provide up to €30 billion in funding to member states for the implementation of energy interconnection projects, announced Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan. In this regard, Romania is taking on the role of coordinator of a joint strategy with neighbouring countries, which it will present to the European Commission in the future multiannual community budget. This strategy targets financing lines for investments in hydro, gas, and nuclear power generation capacities, as well as investments in energy and gas transmission and distribution networks, the minister said.
Investments in storage and interconnection are essential for Romania’s energy security, Prime Minister IlieBolojan also stressed during the meeting with the commissioner, pointing out that although Bucharest has invested in renewable energy and the thermal rehabilitation of buildings in recent years, these projects have been carried out in a fragmented manner, without coordination at the national level. Another topic discussed was investment in energy storage capacity and the expansion of regional interconnectivity for greater stability of the energy system.
Commissioner Jorgensen welcomed Romania’s initiatives, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation and investment in energy infrastructure to eliminate dependence on Russian gas. He also reiterated the European Commission’s support for projects that contribute to raising European citizens’ standard of living.
Romania has made remarkable progress since joining the European Union in 2007, another European commissioner visiting Bucharest to discuss the country’s budgetary and economic developments stressed. The Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Valdis Dombrovskis, said he had come to Bucharest to listen and see how the EU could support Romania’s efforts to reduce its budget deficit. The discussions with officials in Bucharest focused on the reform program, the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and the EU’s main political priorities. (MI)
