Eastern Balkans

Romania's economy shows mixed signals: investment projects proceed (new plant, IKEA expansion, real estate growth), but business confidence remains fragile and rating agencies are reviewing public finances. Bulgaria's energy sector faces state intervention as Lukoil assets are declared national security assets.

• 4Telecommunications infrastructure company Vantage Towers appoints Simona Nijnic as managing director for Romania
• 4Employers' association: Business community needs confidence in Romania’s economy to be restored
• 4Electro-Alfa International, SGB-SMIT Group open EUR 20 million plant in northeastern Romania
• 3IKEA opens second Plan and Order Point in Bucharest at Grand Arena Mall
• 3Rating agencies begin screening Romania’s public finances for sovereign update

Bulgaria's political landscape shifts as Premier Radev pulls out of the Coalition of the Willing and backs a two-state solution, while Progressive Bulgaria claims early reform success. Romania's acting PM pushes PNRR laws through Parliament, and Moldova's PAS remains popular but union with Romania lacks majority support.

• 4Premier Radev Pulls Bulgaria Out of Coalition of the Willing
• 3Progressive Bulgaria MP Praises Foreign Minister Petrova for Defending National Interests
• 3Bulgaria's Radev Backs Two-State Solution in Meeting With Palestinian Envoy
• 3Bulgaria Launches 24/7 Corruption Hotline
• 2Progressive Bulgaria Claims Early Reform Success

Romania faces repeated Russian drone incursions, shooting down three drones and expelling a Russian diplomat, while Black Sea attacks on merchant ships intensify, killing ten. Bulgaria approves US tanker deployment, escalating tensions with Iran, and CPC reports further drone attacks on tankers.

• 10Romania slams Russia as third drone shot down
• 5Ten killed as Russian attacks on merchant ships in Black Sea intensify
• 3CPC reports drone attack on two more tankers near its terminal in Black Sea
• 3Bulgarian parliament votes to allow US to station refueling planes
• 2Drone briefly enters Romanian airspace on fourth consecutive day of incursions

Bulgaria's demographic crisis deepens despite high fertility, with migration pressures and an aging workforce; Romania faces a healthcare strike and heat wave. Environmental anomalies like mammoth remains and locusts highlight climate stress.

• 3Mammoth remains revealed in Bulgaria after Danube water levels hit record low
• 2Giant Locusts Appear Across Bulgaria
• 2More Than 7,000 Pensioners Continue Working in Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry System
• 2Eurostat: Bulgaria on EU Migration Front Line as Return Gap Grows
• 1First contingent of 40 Romanian firefighters stationed in Greece to help battle forest fires