A roundup of local and international news.
Newsflash
Newsroom,
07.11.2026, 19:00
Energy. Diversifying energy sources, developing storage capacities, improving transport and regional interconnections, together with the Neptun Deep project, are the main solutions being considered by the Romanian government to reduce the vulnerabilities of the energy system and increase Romania’s energy independence, Prime Minister Luca Niculescu said on Saturday. During a visit to the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant (in southeastern Romania, on the banks of the Danube), he emphasised that the Government’s priority is to secure Romania’s energy supply and to create the conditions for moving towards energy independence. One of the two units at the Cernavodă plant has been restarted, nearly four months after it was shut down due to low water levels in the Danube, caused by severe drought. The hydrological crisis subsequently led to the shutdown of Unit 2 in mid-August. The two units of the Cernavodă nuclear plant provide 20% of Romania’s national energy demand, each contributing 700 megawatts to the national power grid. The rest of Romania’s energy production comes from other sources, namely hydropower (30%), natural gas (17%), wind (approximately 15%), coal (13%), and solar power (5%).
Defence. Defence minister Ştefan-Radu Oprea held talks on Friday in Bcuharest with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu, on ways to strengthen European defence capabilities and Romania’s role in defining and developing European security projects, with a focus on the Black Sea region. A key topic was the launch of the maritime security hub. In a Facebook post, Ştefan-Radu Oprea said the Ministry of Defence would support the development of this structure through expertise and inter-institutional cooperation. The two officials also discussed Romania’s participation in European defence projects of common interest. The Minister added that the European Union’s future multiannual budget for 2028–2034 must reflect security realities and pay due attention to the states on the Eastern Flank, particularly those in the Black Sea region.
Visit. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be in Romania on Monday as part of a visit to the Black Sea region, following recent Russian drone attacks on commercial vessels near the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria. During this visit, Ursula von der Leyen is due to have talks with Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Prime Minister Luca Niculescu. According to presidential advisor Valentin Naumescu, Nicușor Dan and Ursula von der Leyen will discuss topics such as European defence and security, in particular in the Black Sea region, European competitiveness, including energy-related aspects, EU enlargement, with a focus on Romania’s support for the Republic of Moldova, and negotiations for the EU’s new multiannual financial framework. On Tuesday, the European Commission president will travel to Varna, Bulgaria, and on Wednesday, she will attend the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey. On Thursday and Friday, Ursula von der Leyen will fly to Dublin to attend meeting of the European political community and an informal meeting of the members of the European Council.
Attack. Five people were killed and at least ten others were wounded following a shooting that took place on Saturday in the center of Krakow, Poland’s second-largest city. A man opened fire indiscriminately on passersby near the Main Square. The attacker was shot by the police and was taken to the hospital. According to Reuters, the Polish police said the man used a military-style firearm and was dressed in military-style clothing. Romanian Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu said in a post on X that he was “shocked,” and that “Romania stands with Poland.” He further noted that the consular team is in close contact with the Polish authorities. Armed attacks in public spaces are rare in Poland, where possession of firearms is strictly regulated. (CM)
