On 13 July 2026, the Council of the European Union published a cover note amending its 29 October 2021 implementing decision approving Romania's recovery and resilience plan. The amendment updates the water management and forests/biodiversity components with specific milestones and targets, including deadlines through 2026 for expanding infrastructure, improving flood protection, and adopting a new forest strategy.
The document, issued by the Council, modifies the original approval to incorporate detailed reforms and investments under two components. For water management (Component 1), the plan aims to expand public water and sanitation access, particularly in rural areas, improve dam safety, and strengthen the National Water Administration's emergency response. This component includes two reforms and five investments. For forests and biodiversity (Component 2), the plan seeks to align forest management with biodiversity and climate goals via a new National Forest Strategy, afforestation, and habitat protection, also comprising two reforms and five investments.
Key milestones for loan-financed measures include the entry into force of amendments to Law 241/2006 on water supply by Q4 2021, a law for the "First Connection to Water and Sanitation" programme for low-income households by Q1 2022, implementation agreements signed by Q4 2022, and a new economic mechanism for water resources in force by Q1 2026. Key targets for loan-financed measures, to be achieved by Q2 2026, include 288.3 km of water distribution networks, 975 km of sewerage networks, 9,545 individual wastewater systems, 88.7 km of sewerage networks for small agglomerations, rehabilitation of Lesu dam and Salard polder, and equipment for 11 River Basin Administrations.
For non-repayable support, a key milestone requires delivery of a water cadastre by Q4 2025, including a Digital Terrain Model and software for river bed monitoring. Another non-repayable milestone mandates adoption of the National Forest Strategy 2020-2030 by Q3 2022, setting binding rules on species, reproductive material, and afforestation location.
The amendment formalises the updated milestones and targets, which were likely negotiated between the Romanian authorities and the European Commission. The Council's decision provides the legal basis for disbursement of funds under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, contingent on Romania meeting these conditions. Stakeholders impacted include Romanian households, particularly low-income and rural populations, who stand to gain improved water and sanitation access; the National Water Administration and River Basin Administrations, which will receive new equipment and must enhance emergency response; and environmental groups, who may benefit from stronger forest protection and biodiversity measures. However, the plan imposes compliance costs on local authorities and water utilities required to meet infrastructure targets and deadlines.
Institutional follow-up will involve the European Commission verifying Romania's progress against the milestones and targets before authorising further disbursements. The Romanian government must report on implementation, and any delays could trigger adjustments to the plan or funding.