#Romania

Romania's long-awaited accession to the Schengen Area was confirmed on Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the country's citizens and economy, according to Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu.

Romania and Bulgaria will fully join the Schengen Area, with internal land border controls set to be lifted on January 1, 2025. The landmark decision, unanimously adopted by the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council on December 12, was hailed as historic by the Foreign Ministries of both countries.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced that Romania's accession to the Schengen Area will bring significant economic advantages and facilitate faster travel within the European Union.

Romania remains a steadfast ally of the United States and a dedicated partner in strengthening regional security in the Black Sea, stated Romanian National Defence Minister Angel Tilvar during a visit to the 99th Military Base in Deveselu on Tuesday. He was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Romania Kathleen Kavalec.

Romania's pro-European parties – the Social Democratic Party (PSD), National Liberal Party (PNL), Save Romania Union (USR), Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), and the Parliamentary Group of National Minorities – announced their intention to form a united governance program and support a common candidate for the upcoming presidential elections. The declaration came after their first round of political consultations on Tuesday evening.

Ilie Bolojan, the interim president of Romania’s National Liberal Party (PNL), emphasized on Monday the need for a unified approach in the upcoming presidential election, advocating for fewer candidates, particularly among pro-Western factions. Speaking to Digi 24, Bolojan stressed that a single, strong candidate backed by a coalition could prevent vote fragmentation and increase chances of success.

The President of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), Kelemen Hunor, has emphasized the urgent need for a stable parliamentary majority and a clear strategy for the upcoming presidential elections.

The Save Romania Union (USR) has called on the leadership of Romania's Chamber of Deputies and Senate to convene a joint session to dismiss Toni Grebla, president of the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP).

The first mobile laboratory for air quality monitoring, a donation from Romania's National Environmental Protection Agency, has arrived in Chisinau.

Romania’s Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digitization, Bogdan Ivan, announced the completion of modernization works at the satellite communications center in Cheia, the country’s first teleport.

On Constitution Day, December 8, Romanian Justice Minister Alina Gorghiu emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth about alleged irregularities in the presidential elections.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu marked Constitution Day with a message emphasizing the importance of Romania's Fundamental Law as a cornerstone of political and institutional stability.

On Constitution Day, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis emphasized the nation's "profound responsibility" to uphold the democratic values that define it. He urged citizens to remain united in safeguarding democracy amidst challenges ranging from political and social to economic and geostrategic.

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Friday that the annulment of the presidential elections, as decided by the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR), is the only appropriate response after newly declassified documents revealed evidence of Russian interference that significantly distorted the election results.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean has detailed multiple scenarios to address a potential energy crisis in Moldova.

The second round of Romania's presidential elections commenced overseas on Friday in Auckland, New Zealand, at 12:00 PM local time (1:00 AM Romanian time). Polling stations in Australia, Japan, and other countries in the region are set to open next.

The Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania (FCER) remains steadfast in its commitment to defending democracy and freedom while promoting the values that define Romanian society.

The Macroeconomic Confidence Indicator of the CFA Romania Association plunged by 13.5 points in November, reaching a value of 31.4 points, the lowest level recorded since July 2020.

The Bucharest Stock Exchange continues to reel from political uncertainty, with volatility expected to persist until the conclusion of Romania's presidential runoff, brokers told AGERPRES on Wednesday.

The information presented by the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) at the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) on November 28, which were declassified on Wednesday, by President Klaus Iohannis indicate that the financing of the independent candidate Calin Georgescu's campaign on TikTok amounted to one million euros, that there were actions of a state cyber actor on the IT&C infrastructures supporting the electoral process and that Romania is a target for aggressive Russian hybrid actions.

National Liberal Party (PNL) interim chair Ilie Bolojan announced on Wednesday that the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), the Save Romania Union (USR) and the national minorities, as pro-European political parties, have agreed to form a coalition, aimed stability and , as part of a joint resolution.

Bucharest's General Mayor, Nicușor Dan, has emphasized the need to seize every opportunity to promote the significance of science in society.

President Klaus Iohannis signed a decree for the posthumous decoration of former goalkeeper Helmut Duckadam, the Presidential Administration announced on Wednesday.