Bogdan Neagu
Romania ready to give up Russian oil
Romania supports the European Commission’s decision to phase out oil and petroleum products imports from Russia, Energy Minister Virgil Popescu has said. Romania will not be caught by surprise by the elimination of Russian oil, which accounts for roughly 30%...
The fossil fuel companies profiting from Europe’s oil trade with Russia
As the European Union is preparing a full-scale embargo on Russian oil imports, EURACTIV takes a closer look at some of the companies that have so far profited from the trade within the bloc.
Romania calls for more investments in gas infrastructure
Romania has already identified alternative sources and routes for natural gas to reduce dependency on Russian imports, but it needs the region’s gas corridors to become operational, the energy minister said.
Romania moves to fill agricultural hole left by Ukraine war
As one of the leading agricultural producers of the EU, Romania is mobilising to fill some of the gaps left by Russian and Ukrainian exporters. EURACTIV Romania explores how the war is re-shaping the country's agricultural priorities.
Romania submits CAP strategic plan, only Belgium still missing
Two months after the deadline set by the European Commission, Romania submitted its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) national strategic plan, its agriculture ministry said on Tuesday (1 March). This brings the grand total of national submissions to 26, with only Belgium missing.
Romania will start extracting gas from Black Sea in 2026, minister says
Romania could become almost energy independent when Romgaz and OMV Petrom extract the first barrels of natural gas from the Black Sea, according to energy minister Virgil Popescu.
Romania ‘won’t prohibit wood for household heating’, energy minister says
Bucharest dismissed as "fake news" reports about a planned ban on firewood for heating. Rather, the government seeks to better define the regime for using biomass as an energy source, energy minister Virgil Popescu told EURACTIV in an interview.
EP liberals’ group backs party boss in far-right alliance scandal at home
Renew Europe has denied that its Romanian member, the party of the group’s parliamentary leader, has entered into a pact with far-right political forces in an effort to bring down the government in Bucharest. Romanian media reported on Thursday (2...
Romania commits to phase out coal by 2032
Romania will exit coal by 2032 at the latest and pass a law by mid-2022 to address the closure of mines and adopt socio-economic measures to support coal communities and reskilling of worers, according to the country's official recovery plan.
Agri co-operatives ‘only way’ to help ailing small farms, says Romanian farm minister
Romanian farmers are naturally wary of cooperatives, which are often strongly associated with the country's communist past and command economy. But thanks to young farmers and EU funding, more and more farmers are choosing to join forces. EURACTIV Romania reports.
How carbon pricing is driving the renovation of Czech homes
Like other European countries, the Czech Republic’s buildings are in need of renovation. Unlike others, it partly funds renovation programmes with revenues generated from the emission trading scheme (ETS), an experiment that could be replicated across the EU.
Romania issues ‘memorandum’ blocking Chinese firms from public infrastructure projects
The Romanian government has adopted a "memorandum" last week that would block the awarding of public infrastructure contracts to companies coming from countries that do not have a bilateral trade agreement with the EU.
Less blame, little action for Europe’s Roma during second COVID wave
Romani people, Europe's largest ethnic minority, have been less stigmatised during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic but their social problems have seen little improvement. The EURACTIV Network reports.
Romanian prime minister resigns, but centre right likely to hold on to power
Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban resigned on Monday (7 December) after his centre-right National Liberal Party (PNL) came second to the Social Democrats (PSD) in Sunday's parliamentary elections. However, Orban, remains the leader of PNL and hopes to be involved in talks on forming a new government coalition.
Reporting about Roma: Empathy desirable, but right terminology mandatory
People’s mentality and their attitude towards Roma people depend on a vast historical and cultural context in Romania and they are difficult to change. But they need to be reshaped and myths should be either confirmed or busted, , with the help of the media.
Romania’s forests – source of biodiversity, resource for ‘wood mafia’
Romania has the largest area of virgin forests in the whole of the EU. Home to a large number of animal and plant species, they are endangered by illegal logging, as seen in a recent documentary starring ultramarathon runner Andrei Roșu.
Romania allows derogations in fossil fuel blending
The Romanian government adopted on 9 April an emergency ordinance that changes the regulations on fuel sales and allows the sale of gasoline and diesel without the mandatory quotas including biofuels, EURACTIV.ro reported.
Romanian prime minister ‘at risk’ of having caught COVID-19
The Romanian government has entered auto-isolation mode after a senator was confirmed positive with novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
Romania suspends exports of medicines as coronavirus cases reach 47
The Romanian government has decided to suspend exports of medicines and other health products for the next six months as 18 new cases were reported on Thursday (13 March) bringing to 47 the total number of persons infected with the new coronavirus.
Romanian parliament OKs new interim minority government
Romania's parliament approved on Monday (4 November) a new transitional government led by National Liberal Party leader Ludovic Orban (EPP-affiliated), which will be in office until a parliamentary election next year.
Romania’s controversial socialist leader Dragnea goes to jail
Romania's Supreme Court has decided to send Liviu Dragnea, the powerful president of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), to prison for three-and-a-half years over a corruption case involving fake jobs for party workers.
Romanian ruling social-democrats suffer heavy loss
Romania's pro-European parties inflicted a serious defeat on Romania's ruling Social Democrats (PSD) in the European parliament elections Sunday (26 May), according to partial official results.
#EU2019 – Romania: The referendum and the EU isolation threat
Romania is in a weird position as it’s holding the EU Council presidency and simultaneously feels the heat of the Article 7 nuclear option.