Romania in Sofia

Capturing the magical autumn colors at Siriu Lake in Buzău County 🍂🍁. #RomaniaIsBeautiful 🇷🇴🇪🇺. 📸Ovidiu Caragea

Romania Has a Message to America: We’re Ready to Step Up Why does Romania remain one of America’s most steadfast friends in Europe, and what does it believe President Donald Trump has gotten right about NATO? Romanian national security adviser Marius-Gabriel Lazurca joins the Daily Signal in Washington, D.C., to discuss the U.S.-Romania relationship, NATO, Russia’s war against Ukraine, energy security, and the enduring bond between Romanians and Americans. Lazurca argues that Trump was right to push European nations to take greater responsibility for their own defense. He explains why Romania is prepared to do more, including strengthening its defense capabilities and deepening economic and energy cooperation with the United States. He also shares the remarkable history behind Romania’s affinity for America. During the communist era, Lazurca says, anti-communist resistance fighters held onto the hope that “the Americans were coming” and that the United States would one day help Romania regain its freedom. The conversation also covers Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the threat facing Moldova, Romania’s role on NATO’s eastern flank, and why Lazurca says his country is “open for business” and eager to expand its partnership with the United States.

Had a substantive phone conversation with NATO Secretary General @SecGenNATO Mark Rutte. I expressed my appreciation for his continued support and close cooperation. We discussed the deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea, and the growing hybrid threats facing NATO Allies on the Eastern Flank. The escalating tensions in our region call for heightened Allied vigilance and a firm, coordinated response. I thanked the Secretary General and our NATO Allies for their sustained attention to Black Sea security, including the recently announced additional surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for the region.

🇧🇬 Romania’s Ambassador to Sofia, H.E. Ioana Brândușa Predescu, and Colonel Cristina Pistolea, the embassy’s defence attaché, organised memorial ceremonies on Tuesday to honour Romanian soldiers buried in neighbouring Bulgaria, as part of Romanian Army Day commemorations.

Ceea ce s-a întâmplat astăzi, din nou, în Marea Neagră în afara apelor teritoriale ale României, este inacceptabil și o încălcare flagrantă a dreptului internațional și în mod specific a libertății de navigație, un rezultat al escaladării de către Rusia. Am fost în contact permanent cu autoritățile noastre responsabile, iar eforturile noastre se concentrează pe salvarea de vieți omenești și siguranța marinarilor. Vom continua demersurile cu aliații noștri și coordonarea cu Bulgaria și Turcia pentru a asigura libertatea de navigație și securitatea maritimă. Țara noastră urmează să beneficieze de dotări suplimentare în urma demersurilor României la nivel aliat NATO. Sursa imagini: Ministerul Afacerilor Interne

I had a very good phone conversation with Prime minister of Bulgaria @RumenRadevPM . We discussed ways to enhance our close coordination, within the framework of our Strategic Partnership, to face the current security and connectivity challenges in the Black Sea region. I welcomed the recent initiative of the Romanian President Nicusor Dan to bring together to the NATO allies the increasingly deteriorating situation in the Black Sea. We have to work together and with Türkiye for ensuring the security of navigation in the Black Sea. We agreed to meet in the near future to continue our close dialogue and coordonation.

The Black Sea will be safe again. Two F-16 from the Romanian Air Force shot down two aerial drones that entered our airspace without authorization over the Black Sea. The military informed that the first drone entered the national airspace at 17:59 and was shot down within 2 minutes, 25km SE of Sulina. The second drone, in the same area, was engaged and shot down at 18:05, 4 minutes after entering the national airspace, 20km E of Sulina. The Black Sea serves as a critical maritime artery for the global export of grain, energy resources, and industrial commodities, making its stability vital to international food and energy security. We have briefed our Allies and EU partners. Our military has prepared for an increased intensity of hybrid interference and will continue to prioritize air defence and maritime security. At Romania’s initiative, we will have a dedicated meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Tuesday to discuss Black Sea defence and deterrence. Romania and Bulgaria are in close contact at all levels for increased coordination and accelerate operational steps towards the establishment of the EU Maritime Security Hub in the Black Sea. @vpetrova_mfa @MFABulgaria

I had an important meeting today with Prime Minister @RumenRadevPM and @SecGenNATO Mark Rutte to strengthen our defences in the Black Sea. With our @NATO Allies, we have a commitment to defend every inch of our territory, including our waters and airspace. The situation in the Black Sea is serious. Commercial ships are being attacked and sunk. Seafarers killed, injured, and missing, very close to the shores of Romania and Bulgaria. This is unacceptable and it has to stop. Lives, global trade, and critical infrastructure are at stake. We stand together for a safe and open Black Sea, for Romania, Bulgaria, Europe, and the whole world.

I strongly condemn the repeated drone attacks on commercial vessels in the immediate vicinity of Bulgaria’s territorial waters. These unacceptable acts violate the very principles of safe navigation and further undermine security in the Black Sea. These attacks have real consequences: they both endanger the lives of merchant mariners and impact food security globally. Romania stands in full solidarity with Bulgaria. The security of the Black Sea is essential to European security, and the safety of civilian crews and freedom of navigation must be safeguarded. Those responsible for these attacks must be held accountable. @vpetrova_mfa @MFABulgaria

Romania firmly condems today’s drone attack on two commercial vessels in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. Such actions are in flagrant violation of international law and a direct threat to the freedom of civilian navigation. As a country on the Danube and at the Black Sea, Romania treats the issue of maritime security as a national and European priority. As I said repeatedly in international fora, as a direct consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Black Sea has become the most dangerous place globally for merchant mariners. This is a threat to regional security as much as one to global food security. The threat of hunger is a most odious tool of war regardless as of how it is used. The safety of civilian crews and vessels, and the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea should be guaranteed and protected. Romania is committed to working with Bulgaria and Türkiye under the agreement signed at the NATO Summit in Ankara to strengthen Black Sea security and protect critical maritime infrastructure. Also, the agreed future EU Black Sea Maritime Security Hub in Constanța and Varna will be an important contribution to enhancing coordination, situational awareness and resilience in the Black Sea region. @vpetrova_mfa @MFABulgaria

October has arrived & autumn colors are officially taking over Romania! 🍂 Here is a gorgeous example from Timișoara, where green is slowly giving way to shades of gold, copper & rust. 🍁 #RomaniaIsBeautiful 🇷🇴🇪🇺. 📸Razvan Vitionescu

My interview, in Brussels, for Euronews's "Europe Today" with @StefanGrobe1 @euronews