Romania Pushes for EU Funding and Black Sea Security

President Nicusor Dan is attending a two-day European Council summit in Brussels on October 15 and 16, 2026, to advocate for an ambitious EU budget for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. Romania is specifically seeking to maintain funding for the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy to ensure food security and regional development. Dan is also pushing for increased European defense funding for the eastern flank and the Black Sea region to reduce strategic dependencies in technology and energy.

Simultaneously in Bucharest, Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan met with European Union ambassadors and a representative from the European Commission. Bolojan detailed government efforts to restore budgetary balance and address structural shortcomings to improve business confidence.

The Romanian leadership is prioritizing regional security following recent attacks on vessels in the exclusive economic zones of Romania and Bulgaria. Bolojan emphasized a commitment to cooperate with Bulgaria and Türkiye to protect commercial navigation in the Black Sea. The discussions also covered hybrid threats, disinformation campaigns, and the necessity of an allied military presence to strengthen NATO's eastern flank.