Bucharest

A Romanian national, Tal Haimi, who also held Israeli citizenship, was tragically killed in Gaza, as confirmed by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, citing information from Israeli authorities. The Ministry extended condolences to the grieving family.

"Countries not yet admitted to Schengen should not have to pay for their membership by accepting more refugees".

New conditions for Schengen. Vienna wants increased border control between Bulgaria and Romania, as well as sending Austrian advisers to work with teams at the airports in Bucharest and Sofia. It is also a condition that Romania and Bulgaria accept Afghans and Syrians seeking asylum.

The Austrian media reports that the Minister of the Interior of Austria, Gerhard Karner, is ready to loosen the veto on the expansion of the Schengen area with Bulgaria and Romania.

By the end of the year, Romania will receive a maritime minesweeper from Great Britain, with which it will join the joint initiative with Bulgaria and Turkey to search for mines in the Black Sea.

This was announced in an interview with "Digi 24" TV by the Minister of Defense Angel Tilvar, who is visiting the USA together with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

Spain, holding the EU Presidency, remains non-committal about arranging an urgent Council meeting to vote on Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen membership.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska expressed Europe's strengthened stance with the integration of both countries but refrained from committing to a timeline, citing ongoing efforts.

A weak earthquake was felt in Burgas around 9:40 a.m. today. At the moment, the services do not report an earthquake registered in Bulgaria.

On 6-8th February 2024, the international renewables investment conference Energy Week Black Sea will take place in Bucharest, Romania.

Well-known for its role in the gas industry, the Black Sea region will be once again brought together to foster the deployment of renewables and encourage the transition to secure, clean and affordable energy.

The worst cold of the season will hit those parts of Europe, bringing a powerful winter storm that will hit the Balkan Peninsula the most, with huge amounts of snow from Romania to Ukraine.
This cold wave is forecast to move towards eastern and central Europe by Saturday and Sunday, spreading further south across the Balkan Peninsula on Sunday and early next week.

The best option is for Romania and Bulgaria to enter the Schengen area together, and "all negotiations and all attempts to convince those who have reservations on this matter are aimed at this". Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said this today at a joint press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, Agerpres agency reported.