Bogdan Neagu

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.

Romania cuts VAT rate for ‘healthy and traditional food’

The Romanian government has decided to promote the consumption of healthy and traditional foodstuffs by cutting the VAT rate from 9% to 5%. EURACTIV Romania reports.

Romania treads water on migration and asylum reforms

In 2015, Romania voted against relocation quotas for refugees within the EU, though it later supported the UN’s Global Compact on Refugees. Recently, it was asked by the UNHCR to use its six-month EU presidency to mobilise member states to be more active in managing the flows of refugees. EURACTIV Romania reports.

Young farmers in Romania hampered by lack of bank guarantees

Getting a loan is the biggest problem faced by young farmers in Romania, especially when they are unable to provide guarantees as back-up, EURACTIV Romania reports.

Romania goes on anti-Brussels path over rule of law

Romania’s government is not willing to follow the EU recommendations on the rule of law and plans to challenge the Commission's latest report in court. EURACTIV Romania reports.

Economic growth, migration and EU elections – a strange mix for Romanian voters

Romania’s government boasts about its economic growth rate, but Romanians are leaving the country in large numbers. Can the EU elections in 2019 change the trend or will the migration pace intensify?

Hogan: EU member states will decide on agriculture innovation after 2020, not Brussels

Member states and not the European Commission will direct the precise support and funding for innovation and digitisation of farming in the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan told EURACTIV Romania in an interview.  

Romanian absurd: A ruling party that calls a protest meeting

The political party that toppled its own government in Romania last year has made another head-scratching move: It is staging a massive protest in front of the building that houses the government it appointed only a few months ago.

Romania Constitutional Court orders President to sack chief anti-graft prosecutor

Romania’s Constitutional Court decided on Wednesday (30 May) that President Klaus Iohannis must dismiss the chief prosecutor of the Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), who has been praised by Brussels and Washington for tackling corruption.