Corina Cretu (EC): Absorption of EU funds must be accelerated

Newsroom 10/05/2016 | 18:31

Romania has 0 percent absorption rate of 2014-2020 EU funds, European commissioner Corina Cretu revealed during the 2016-2020 European Funds Forum.

Romania already has a large delay, in the current financial absorption is minimal and the number of new projects approved and operations is too small. We all know how much we need highways, modern railways, new hospitals. And we must recognize that, in terms of EU funds absorption, things are not going well. The pace of project development and absorption of funds should be accelerated,” the commissioner warned.

She added that Romanian authorities need to prepare as fast as possible large projects, with great impact in people’s lives, especially in infrastructure, for which the process is often long and complex.

It is obvious that the regulations no longer allow member states to absorb funds for the sake of absorption, we need very clear indicators when implementing a project. From my point of view, Romania needs projects where the main indicator is the creation of jobs,” added Corina Cretu.

European Funds Minister Cristian Ghinea confirmed the delay registered by our country, but stated that Romania would make advances fast.

For POSDRU, 2016 will be the year during which we will send the largest sums. We will send them in batches, depending on the degree of risk for those bills,” he mentioned, adding that the ministry is not well organized at the moment, with attributions being fragmented, although people are well prepared for their jobs.

Former EU funds minister Eugen Teodorovici added that priorities for the moment should be in the payment of outstanding invoices, launching all emergency guidelines and applications for all axes, which are only partial at the moment, and the completion of accreditation for the current financial cycle.

This European money, if it does not enter our economy now, it will affect growth and forecasts. There is at the moment one billion euros, money given in advance to Romania for the period 2014-2020, which that instead of being blocked should already be used on payment for starting projects,” he underlined.

The 2016-2020 European Funds Forum was organized by Intact Media Group.

Natalia Martian

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