Romania and Pfizer resume negotiations after court-ordered seizure of over 3.4 bn lei

Pfizer Romania has ordered the seizure of more than 3.4 billion lei (over €18 million) from the accounts of ROMATSA, the Romanian Air Traffic Services Authority, as part of a dispute over COVID‑19 vaccine payments. The seizure threatens the cash flow that funds Romania's air‑space management, prompting concern over operational financing.

An emergency meeting was held between ROMATSA officials, the Ministry of Finance and legal advisers to plan a challenge to the seizure. The Romanian government indicated that negotiations with Pfizer on vaccine supply and payment terms will be restarted next week, while the state prepares to contest the enforcement action.

The case follows earlier court decisions that allowed Pfizer to recover outstanding sums from the Romanian state, and it highlights how commercial litigation can impact essential public‑sector finances.