Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan Meets Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Bucharest

On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan welcomed his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán at Victoria Palace in Bucharest during Orbán’s private visit to Romania. This meeting comes shortly after the formation of Romania’s new government and marks the first high-level bilateral consultation since Bolojan took office.

The discussions focused on strengthening the relationship between Romania and Hungary, with a particular emphasis on practical cooperation that benefits citizens of both countries, regardless of ethnicity. Key topics included boosting trade, which reached over 13.3 billion euros in 2024, and developing joint infrastructure and interconnectivity projects, such as improved road and rail links, as well as collaboration in the energy and digital sectors.

Prime Minister Bolojan emphasised Romania’s commitment to a constructive partnership founded on genuine cooperation and tangible outcomes. Both leaders emphasised the importance of building on Romania’s recent accession to the Schengen Area, which is expected to take effect early in 2025, thereby simplifying border crossings and opening up new opportunities for economic exchange and citizen mobility.

On the European Union front, Bolojan highlighted Romania’s commitment to European unity and solidarity, particularly in the face of ongoing challenges such as the energy crisis and regional security issues. He also pointed out the need for enhanced regional development projects in partnership with neighbouring countries, Hungary included, to foster stability and prosperity in Central and Eastern Europe.

This meeting signals a promising renewal of Romanian-Hungarian ties, emphasising economic growth, infrastructure cooperation, and energy collaboration aimed at benefiting the broader region. The recent opening of 10 new border crossing points following Romania’s Schengen integration further supports this renewed partnership.

The ongoing dialogue between Bucharest and Budapest is viewed as a key factor in promoting stability, development, and closer ties within the region.