Yesterday 14:22

Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu, calls on Romania to develop an ambitious Country Plan for 2028–2034, focused on young people, skills and integration into the labour market

Riana Gegiu

6 November 2026, 14:22

Current Affairs

Foto: Facebook/ Roxana Mînzatu

Always see our news on Google

Romania must prepare an ambitious and creative Country Plan for the 2028–2034 European financial framework, adapted to social challenges and transformations in the labor market, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Roxana Mînzatu said on Friday during a meeting with Labor Minister Petre Florin Manole.

Mînzatu emphasized the need for national programs for teenage mothers, young people and those who do not have a job and are not attending education or vocational training courses. She also called for measures to prepare employees in the context of the development of artificial intelligence, as well as a more active approach to employment policies.

The Labor Minister said that integrating young people and access to a first job are priorities. The SMART SPO, STEP UP – First Job and SCI 2000 projects are expected to be coordinated to identify vulnerable people and provide counseling, training and employment.

The discussions also covered the National Strategy to Combat Poverty, with components addressing energy poverty and housing, as well as European initiatives concerning quality jobs, pay transparency, work on digital platforms, the right to disconnect and combating undeclared work. nger

‌,

Context: ahead of the preparation of the Country Plan for 2028-2034, Brussels put pressure on the social dimension and basic skills

Before the discussions dedicated to the Country Plan, Roxana Mînzatu drew attention to the fact that negotiations for the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework must maintain a “sufficiently strong” social dimension for funding employment, skills and inclusion. In the same direction, the Commission proposed that at least 14% of national and regional plans be dedicated to social expenditure, while the Commission and the European Committee of the Regions signed a new Joint Action Plan on employment and social policies.

During the same period, Mînzatu linked the education agenda to the results of PISA 2025, warning that too many young Europeans face difficulties with basic skills. She announced an Education Package in November and launched a European Coalition for Literacy, intended to support the teaching of reading and writing, cooperation between schools and libraries, and the development of the capacity to assess information online.