Commissioner Cretu: Progresses recently registered on operational programs implementation are promising

The progresses recently registered on the implementation of operational programs are promising, especially the appointment of management and structural funds control authorities, as well as European investments authorities, said European commissioner for regional policy Corina Cretu, after meeting minister-delegate for European funds, Rovana Plumb in Brussels.

“During July 4-5 there was a high level mission [to Romania] led by the vice-general director of DG REGIO, Normunds Popens, to discuss and establish with the Romanian authorities a common work agenda, that comprises all the measures and commitments that have to be fulfilled the next weeks to accelerated the absorption. I congratulate the Romanian authorities for their work and efforts, together with the colleagues from DG REGIO, to identify the blockages and delays in the implementation of operational programs. The progresses recently registered are promising,” said Cretu.

She met with Plumb this Monday to discuss about the implementation stage of the cohesion policy in Romania.

On the discussions agenda there was also the initiative “Less developed regions” aiming to analyze the blockages in their development and to offer recommendations and assistance regarding the absorption manner and their growth potential. It started to have results in the two regions where it was implemented, North-East and North-West.

“One year since the launch, we notice there were elaborated reserves for mature projects, with a strong emphasize on partnership and a higher impact on the regional development, which proves the added value of the initiative. We count on the support of the Ministry to change the Regional Operational Program so that it allows projects of the two regions to be funded by least EUR 50 million,” added Cretu.