President Nicusor Dan is attending the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, where Romania will advocate an 'ambitious' EU budget for 2028-2034.

The head of state hosted a working meeting at the end of last week to prepare for the gathering of EU leaders, with the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) among the main topics on the agenda in Brussels.

According to the Presidential Administration, the working meeting was aimed at coordinating Romania's national position ahead of negotiations among European leaders, given that the next Multiannual Financial Framework will determine the EU budget for 2028-2034, directly influencing Romania's economic development prospects through funding available for investment, infrastructure, agriculture and regional development.

Romania will support the adoption of an ambitious EU budget that maintains overall funding levels for Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy, two essential instruments for narrowing development gaps between member states, modernising the agricultural sector, developing rural communities and strengthening food security, the Presidential Administration said.

At the same time, Romania will advocate funding to strengthen European defence capabilities, with particular attention to the eastern flank and the strategically important Black Sea region, as well as policies aimed at restoring competitiveness and reducing strategic dependencies in energy and advanced technologies.

EU leaders are gathering in Brussels for a two-day summit.

'Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical uncertainty, leaders will focus on economic issues and on providing responses to the challenges facing European competitiveness, including energy prices,' the Council's official website said.

EU leaders will discuss the next long-term budget for 2028-2034, continued support for Ukraine, Russia-linked hybrid attacks across Europe, migration, enlargement and reforms, as well as the situation in the Middle East.

On energy prices, EU leaders will provide guidance to the European Commission on targeted, temporary short-term measures to ease the impact of high energy prices while protecting EU citizens and businesses. They will also discuss Europe's long-term strategy for reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.

The leaders will also review progress on the 'One Europe, One Market' agenda, including its implementation in 2026 and 2027.

They will further discuss ways to reduce global macroeconomic imbalances affecting European industry.

The EU's next long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, 'is the strategic instrument for building a more prosperous, more competitive and more strategically autonomous Europe,' according to the Council.

EU leaders will also emphasise that Ukraine remains a key priority for the EU. During the meeting, they will discuss continued support for Ukraine, including the operational needs of its critical infrastructure ahead of winter.

According to the Council, discussions will also address Russia's increasingly aggressive behaviour, including its hybrid attacks across Europe. Leaders will review progress on the EU's defence readiness agenda and consider ways to maintain momentum and accelerate work, including efforts to address critical gaps in military capabilities. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)