Romania has attracted 0.18 percent of EU funds for 2014-2020

In Romania, the rate of absorption of European Structural&Investment Funds for the period 2014-2020 stood at 0.18 percent on May 31. At EU level, the rate stood at 1.7 percent. In this context, it is relevant to talk about project releases and preparations, Minister of European Funds Cristian Ghinea wrote on his Facebook account in response to recent statements by European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu regarding the 2014-2020 financial period.

According to Cretu, between 2014 -2020, as we have said repeatedly, I am worried about the slow start of project implementation. Currently, Romania has an absorption rate of 0 percent of European funds for the 2014-2020 period, but I know that Romanian authorities are making efforts in this respect and, in what regards us, the European Commission has been and will remain a supporter for Romania, like we do in the case of all member states when they encounter difficulties.”

In response, Minister Ghinea wrote: “The 2014-2020 absorption rate is an indicator that is irrelevant right now, at the beginning of the financial framework, before the management system is chosen. (…) This does not mean that the Ponta government has not moved a finger in this respect, Romania stands worse than the European average, but we are catching up, the Facebook of Mrs. Cretu did not become worried at the right time. Given that the entire EU stands at 1.7 percent absorption for 2014-2020, and there are countries where it is 0, and the majority have it at around 1 percent, it is relevant to talk about project releases and preparations. And, here, we launched guides of EUR 12 billion, in the 97 days I served as a minister (…). Mrs. Cretu’s Facebook says that it is zero, but she congratulates us for the constructive dialogue and the common efforts (…) Too bad Mrs. Cretu’s Facebook is selecting numbers in a preferential way. I expect Mrs. Cretu’s Facebook to express similar concerns for other countries in the list,” Minister of European Funds Cristian Ghinea wrote on his Facebook page.