Radio România Internațional

Tag: EU funds

  • Report on European funds fraud

    Report on European funds fraud

    The European Anti-Fraud Office known as OLAF announced that in 2017 alone it conducted 197 investigations, which resulted in 309 recommendations and the recuperation of 3 billion Euros that retuned to the EU budget. A common element of the finalized investigations was the existence of a secret understanding between the winner of a tender and either a consultant or the very beneficiary of the funds.



    The conflict of interests was another common element of the investigations, involving politicians and large-scale public procurement projects. According to the European media, three countries in the east of the EU, Romania, Hungary and Poland were allegedly the countries with the most intense anti-fraud investigations. According to the acting Director General of OLAF, British Nicholas Ilet, there is no link between the number of investigations and the level of corruption in a certain country. He says that if there is a substantial investigation, it means that there is a good cooperation between OLAF representatives and a certain country or that OLAF benefits from much information about that country.



    There are 11 investigations targeting the use of European funds in Romania which is the leader in a classification of countries with anti-fraud investigations finalized in 2017. Illustrative of the situation are two investigations related to projects funded through the European fund for regional development. The representatives of a city hall, which was the beneficiary, made an understanding with the representatives of the company that had drafted the technical projects for the building of a road, according to which they established restrictive criteria in the documents to be used at the tender.



    In this way, they created an advantage for a certain company that won the tender, with the rest of the participants in the tender being rejected from the very start of the initial assessment stage. The sides involved forged a lot of documents including the technical project of the road, the OLAF representatives concluded. They calculated the financial loss from the EU budget as standing at 21 million Euros. OLAF recommended the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policies of the European Commission to recuperate the entire amount of money and forwarded judicial recommendations to the National Anti-Corruption Directorate in Bucharest to take legal action against the aforementioned entities.



    In November 2017 the prosecutors of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate indicted several high-ranking politicians for fraud in EU-funded projects, the setting up of a criminal group and abuse of office for personal gains. In order to recuperate the loss, they confiscated the assets and blocked the bank accounts of the people involved in the fraud. In a different, trans-national case, the European Anti-Fraud Office managed to stop an intricate fraud scheme through which community funds worth more than 1.4 million Euros were embezzled. The money was to be used for building emergency response hovercraft prototypes. The investigation revealed irregularities in a research and innovation project that had been won by an Italian-led European consortium with partners from France, Romania and Great Britain.

  • May 22, 2018 UPDATE

    May 22, 2018 UPDATE

    EU FUNDS – Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis, on Tuesday urged the Government to show more concern about absorbing European funds. He said that of the 31 billion Euros that can be attracted by Romania, our country hasn’t even used 5 billion, and this money should be used for development. Romania cannot afford the luxury of giving up the EU projects, the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu, has also warned. In Bacau, eastern Romania, in a dialogue with citizens on the future of Europe and of the cohesion policy, Cretu also said she expected several major projects from Romania to the European Commission. Corina Cretu recalled that only four major projects have been submitted by Romania, since she became EU Commissioner. On Monday, the European official, alongside PM Viorica Dăncilă, held talks with the mayors of county capitals on urban investments with European funds. The Commissioner has again called on the Romanian authorities to make sustained efforts, to reduce the risk of loosing European money. She also referred to the need to simplify procedures and step up the process of assessing the projects.



    JUSTICE LAWS– The law on the status of judges and prosecutors was adopted on Tuesday by the Romanian Senate, which is the decision-making body in this case. Thus, the document, which now redefines “judicial error is now submitted to President Klaus Iohannis for promulgation. We recall that early this month, Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis decided to send the justice laws back to the Constitutional Court, after they had been adopted by Parliament – the status of judges and prosecutors, judicial organisation and the Higher Council of Magistracy. The president has also notified the Venice Commission.



    REVOLUTION TRIAL – Romanias former leftist president Ion Iliescu was heard at the Prosecutor Generals Office, in the case concerning the 1989 anti-communist revolution, in which he is accused of crimes against humanity. Last month the head of state Klaus Iohannis approved the prosecutors request to prosecute Iliescu, the ex-PM Petre Roman and the former deputy PM Gelu Voican Voiculescu. They allegedly plotted a military diversion designed to give them legitimacy as the new leaders after the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu fled the capital city. The diversion resulted in 1,166 deaths, of which more than 800 after Ceausescu was ousted, as well as in losses, damages and injuries.



    PENSION FUNDS – In a televised statement on Tuesday, President Klaus Iohannis asked the Government to clarify its plans with respect to the privately-managed pension funds known as the “Pension Pillar II. The head of state voiced concerns regarding the situation and said people might begin to question the governments capacity to design and manage the pension system. PM Viorica Dăncilă promised that Pillar II will not be dismantled, but did not rule out possible changes in the laws regulating its operation. Dancila explained there was a draft in this respect put together by the National Strategy and Prognosis Commission but not approved by the Government, and that an analysis will be made on the topic.



    AmCham – Romania had a fairly high investment rate compared to other EU member states in 2001-2016, but the effects of these investments were late in appearing, Anda Todor, head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Romania said in a press conference. In turn, AmCham treasurer Ciprian Lăduncă said Romania should have a national investment plan, a long-term business plan approved by all stakeholders in the Romanian society. Another very important measure for the Romanian economy is to encourage long-term saving, whether through life insurance, private pensions or investment funds, Ciprian Lăduncă added.

    JUDICIARY – The High Court of
    Cassation and Justice in Bucharest on Tuesday acquitted Calin
    Popescu-Tariceanu, the Senate Speaker and president of the Alliance for
    Liberals and Democrats, in the ruling coalition in Romania, in a lawsuit in
    which he was charged with perjury and encouraging an offender. The court also
    decided to change the accusation from perjury and encouraging an offender
    into perjury. The ruling is not final. In the last hearing of the case, the
    National Anti-Corruption Directorate had requested a 3-year prison sentence for
    the Liberal Democrat leader. According to prosecutors, during investigations
    into the unlawful return of landed estates near Bucharest, Tăriceanu gave
    untrue statements while under oath.



    EU TRADE – The trade ministers of EU member countries have authorised the European Commission to initiate negotiations on free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand. The announcement was made at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council for trade, held in Brussels. Romania is represented by line minister Ştefan Radu Oprea.(Translated by D. Vijeu and AM Popescu)

  • May 22, 2018

    May 22, 2018

    PENSION FUNDS – President Klaus Iohannis asked the Government to clarify its plans with respect to the privately-managed pension funds known as the “Pension Pillar II. The head of state voiced concerns regarding the situation and said people might begin to question the governments capacity to design and manage the pension system. PM Viorica Dăncilă promised that Pillar II will not be dismantled, but did not rule out possible changes in the laws regulating its operation. Dancila explained there was a draft in this respect put together by the National Strategy and Prognosis Commission but not approved by the Government, and that an analysis will be made on the topic.




    REVOLUTION TRIAL – Romanias former leftist president Ion Iliescu was heard today at the Prosecutor Generals Office, in the case concerning the 1989 anti-communist revolution, in which he is accused of crimes against humanity. Last month the head of state Klaus Iohannis approved the prosecutors request to prosecute Iliescu, the ex-PM Petre Roman and the former deputy PM Gelu Voican Voiculescu. They allegedly plotted a military diversion designed to give them legitimacy as the new leaders after the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu fled the capital city. The diversion resulted in 1,166 deaths, of which more than 800 after Ceausescu was ousted, as well as in losses, damages and injuries.




    EU COMMISSIONER – The European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu carries on her visit to Bacau County, in eastern Romania. Jointly with the Minister for European Funds Rovana Plumb she is taking part today in a dialogue with the citizens, hosted by the Vasile Alecsandri University. On Monday, Corina Creţu and PM Viorica Dăncilă had talks with the mayors of county capitals regarding urban investments financed by European funds. The EU Commissioner once again called on the Romanian authorities to make sustained efforts to reduce the risk of losing European money, and mentioned that procedures should be simplified and project assessment processes should be sped up.




    JUDICIARY – The High Court of Cassation and Justice in Bucharest may pass a ruling today in a case in which Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, the Senate Speaker and president of the Alliance for Liberals and Democrats, in the ruling coalition in Romania, is charged with perjury and encouraging an offender. In the last hearing of the case, the National Anti-Corruption Directorate requested a 3-year prison sentence for the Liberal Democrat leader. According to prosecutors, during investigations into the unlawful return of landed estates near Bucharest, Tăriceanu gave untrue statements while under oath.




    AmCham – Romania had a fairly high investment rate compared to other EU member states in 2001-2016, but the effects of these investments were late in appearing, Anda Todor, head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Romania said in a press conference. In turn, AmCham treasurer Ciprian Lăduncă said Romania should have a national investment plan, a long-term business plan approved by all stakeholders in the Romanian society. Another very important measure for the Romanian economy is to encourage long-term saving, whether through life insurance, private pensions or investment funds, Ciprian Lăduncă added.




    EU TRADE – The trade ministers of EU member countries have today authorised the European Commission to initiate negotiations on free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand. The announcement was made at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council for trade, held in Brussels. Romania is represented by line minister Ştefan Radu Oprea.




    FACEBOOK – The European Parliament holds a meeting today in Brussels with the Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. He will answer questions concerning the illegal use of the personal data of over 87 million users of the social network by the British consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, specialising in political strategy. The hearing comes ahead of the implementation in the EU, on May 25, of a new regulation on the protection of personal data. The document comprises some of the strictest rules in the world in this respect. In April, Zuckerberg was heard on the same topic in the US Senate.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • February 22, 2018 UPDATE

    February 22, 2018 UPDATE

    REPORT – Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader on Thursday presented the conclusions of a report on the managerial activity of the National Anticorruption Directorate. In his report the Justice Minister said he will start proceedings to dismiss the chief of the National Corruption Directorate, Laura Codruta Kovesi. He will send the report to the prosecutors department of the Superior Council of Magistracy and to Romanias President Klaus Iohannis, who is the decision-maker in this case. We recall that last week, he cut short an official visit to Japan after prime minister Viorica Dancila asked him to return to Romania and clarify allegations about the National Anticorruption Directorate circulating in the media. Earlier, the former Social Democrat MP Vlad Cosma, who received a 5-year-sentence for corruption in a court of first instance, accused anticorruption investigators of using him to fabricate evidence against other Social Democratic politicians. The head of the Directorate Laura Codruta Kovesi firmly denied her investigators were using any illegal means, while president Klaus Iohannis reiterated his trust in the anticorruption body. On Wednesday evening, some 100 persons gathered in front of the presidents office to protest against the Directorate head, accusing her of a number of abuses, and against what they called the presidents passiveness.



    PRESIDENCY – Romanias president Klaus Iohannis will attend an informal meeting of the European Council held on Friday in Brussels, the presidents office has announced. Talks will tackle the multiannual financial framework beyond 2020 and institutional aspects of the European Union. Klaus Iohannis is expected to emphasise that during its presidency of the EU Council in the first part of next year, Romania will seek a political agreement on a modern and efficient EU budget beyond 2020. The talks in Brussels are also expected to look at issues related to the composition of the European Parliament for the 2019-2024 parliamentary term. The Romanian president backs the Parliaments proposal for a new distribution of seats in the next term, which will increase Romanias seats to 33, one more than it currently has.



    AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL – In its annual human rights report, Amnesty International has criticised the attempt to decriminalise acts of corruption and the conditions in Romanian prisons. Published on Thursday in London, the report mentions that the attempt of the government coalition in Bucharest to ease anti-corruption legislation last year sparked wide-scale street protests in Romania and abroad. The Amnesty International report also notes that European and international institutions criticised the overcrowding of prisons and the detention conditions. Another observation made by Amnesty International is that in 2017, the Rroma in Romania faced discriminatory practices from the authorities.



    GRECO – The Romanian Parliaments special committee on the justice laws on Thursday met with representatives of the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). The latter also met with employers associations in the field of justice, representatives of NGOs, civil society and public institutions. GRECO is due to issue an additional report on the way Romania complies with recommendations to prevent and combat corruption. Last year GRECO presented a report highlighting the insufficient progress Romania has reported in terms of preventing corruption at the level of MPs, judges and prosecutors.



    ENVIRONMENT – Romania’s Environment Minister Gratiela Gavrilescu on
    Thursday met in Bucharest with Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for the
    Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fishing. Gavrilescu told a press conference
    that by the end of May Bucharest will have an integrated air quality plan. The
    Romanian official also presented the status for implementing the air quality
    plan for the cities of Brasov and Iasi. In turn, the European Commissioner said
    Romania has made important progress in the field of the environment. Romania is
    committed to fulfilling environment legislation, Commissioner Vella added. We
    recall that last month the European Commission launched infringement
    proceedings against Romania and another eight European countries to take
    measures to diminish air pollution.



    FLU – The flu has killed 48 people in Romania this season according to the latest toll published by the National Centre for the Supervision and Control of Communicable Diseases. 500 people have the flu virus, mostly in Bucharest and the counties of Constanta, in the south-east, Brasov, in the centre, and Iasi, in the north-east. The authorities advise people to get vaccinated, and the health ministry says around 80,000 vaccine doses are still available. So far 920,000 have received vaccination. The healthcare minister Sorina Pintea says Romania is not faced with a flu epidemic.


    EU FUNDS – The absorption rate of European funds is unsatisfactory and Romania risks losing 800 million euros under the Regional Operational Programme, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Thursday at the General Assembly of the Union of County Councils. She called on the local and central authorities to share the problems they face in this respect so that solutions can be quickly found. The governments mission is for Romania to climb to the top half of a ranking of the Unions strongest economies by 2020, Dancila also said. To achieve this goal, her cabinet is considering investing more in infrastructure, increasing peoples incomes, reforming the administration and reducing bureaucracy.



    MEETING – Romanian Police chief Catalin Ionita on Thursday met in Munich with the head of Bavarias Police Department, Wilhelm Schmidbauer. Talks focused on exchanging information and cooperation in the field of organised crime. Cooperation between the two parties is based on a joint declaration of the Romanian Interior Ministry and Bavarias Interior Ministry, signed in 2004 in Munich.


    (Translated by C. Mateescu & V. Palcu)

  • Problems in accessing EU funds

    Problems in accessing EU funds

    On her first visit to Brussels since she took office, Social-Democrat Prime Minister Viorica Dancila met with high-ranking EU officials. On Tuesday, Dancila had talks with European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu. The meeting focused on Romania’s delays in absorbing European funds. Commissioner Cretu warned that Bucharest authorities needed to rush and simplify procedures for accessing European funds. 2018 is a crucial year for EU fund absorption, as Romania risks losing hundreds of millions of euros.



    Corina Cretu went on to say that Romanian authorities are aware of this danger and are planning new measures. “We have agreed that concerted and immediate action is needed to approach the risk of absorption. First of all, Romania risks losing 800 million Euros under Regional Operational Programmes. The Prime Minister decided to set up a think tank aimed at simplifying procedures for absorbing European funds in Romania, and I have decided to name someone to represent me as EU Commissioner”.



    One of highest risks right now in terms of losing European funding is the building of the three regional hospitals, in Iasi, Cluj-Napoca and Craiova respectively, a project started three years ago, which nevertheless reported huge delays in the implementation phase.



    Corina Cretu: “Time flies. The Commission approved these projects in July 2015. It’s 2018 now, and things are advancing very slowly. The only thing certain right now, unfortunately, is the location for these hospitals, which the Government has agreed jointly with authorities in Iasi, Cluj and Craiova”.



    By the end of next month feasibility studies are due to be completed. However, due to delays, the authorities have come up with a new timetable, according to which the studies will be made public in October, so that construction works can start early next year. Unless the authorities observe the new timetable, the risk of losing the European funds approved for these projects will increase exponentially. EU member states have to comply with a so-called disengagement rule, according to which the Commission can withdraw its funding if the money isn’t spent within three years of their disbursement to national authorities.



    So, if construction works aren’t finished and payments haven’t been fully covered within the eligibility period, which in this case is 2023, the Commission will no longer be able to provide refunds. We recall that Romania was allotted over €20 billion for the 2014-2020 financial framework to use in economic investments, but our country has so far absorbed only 5% of this sum.

  • January 29, 2018

    January 29, 2018

    GOVERNMENT — The ministers nominated to be part of the new PSD-ALDE cabinet led by Viorica Dancila are today being heard by the relevant committees of the Romanian Parliament. Also today the Parliament of Romania, meeting in a plenary session, is due to vote on the validation of the new cabinet. Improving the healthcare system, amending the Education Law, modernising legislation in the judicial system, going ahead with the process of decentralisation, increasing the pension point and reducing the VAT are some of the measures included in the governing program. Furthermore, as regards this year, the PSD-ALDE ruling coalition wants to simplify the taxation system and eliminate some taxes, among which the solidarity tax and the tax on food additives. The opposition parties, the National Liberal Party, Save Romania Union and the People’s Movement Party have made public their decision to vote against the new cabinet, whom they do not expect to have a spectacular performance. The Liberals are also discontent about the hearings timetable, saying the timeslot allotted to each person nominated at the helm of a ministry is too short to have solid talks. The seat allocation formula shows PSD and ALDE are holding a fragile majority, and if several MPs in power are absent from the vote or vote against the cabinet, the government led by Viorica Dăncilă might not be validated. The new cabinet is made up of 28 members, having four deputy prime ministers, as compared to three in the previous cabinet.



    TALKS — Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, will meet in Brussels on Wednesday with the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. The focal points on the agenda of talks include the judicial overhaul, the fight against corruption and Romania’s holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019. The Commission has recently voiced its concern about the latest developments in Romania and called on the Romanian Parliament to reconsider the changes brought to the justice laws. The independence of the judiciary and its capacity to efficiently fight corruption are the fundaments of having a strong Romania within the EU, the President and the First Vice-President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and Frans Timmermans, respectively, have stated in a joint declaration. At the end of 2017, the parliamentary majority made up of the Social Democratic Party-the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Romania adopted changes to the justice laws, raising concern among European bodies and states, generating wide-scale protests in the country and stirring harsh criticism from the magistrates and the right wing opposition.



    EU FUNDS — Romania received European funds worth 45.7 billion Euros from the EU budget, accounting, on an average, for 2.8% of the GDP, in the 2007-2017 period, the governor of the National Bank of Romania, Mugur Isărescu, has today said in a conference also attended by the EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Creţu. The central bank governor has also said that after taking into consideration Romania’s contribution to the EU budget, net inflows of European funds stood at 30.4 billion Euro, that is 1.8% of the GDP per year on an average. Corina Creţu has today started a two-day official visit to Romania. The agenda of the visit also includes a meeting with the prime minister designated by the PSD-ALDE ruling coalition, Viorica Dăncilă, for talks on European funds. The European official has said she comes to Bucharest to lay the foundations for a tight and fruitful cooperation with the new Government, with regard to the optimal use of resources available under the multi-annual 2014-2020 financial framework and to hold talks on the new post-2020 financial framework.



    TENNIS — Romanian women tennis players Sorana Cîrstea (no.36 WTA) and Irina Begu (no.37 WTA) are taking part in the Saint Petersburg tennis tournament, this week, with 750,000 dollars in prize money up for grabs. On Tuesday, Cîrstea will meet Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova (no.26 WTA), whereas Begu will face a player coming from the playoffs. The first seed of the tournament is Danish Caroline Wozniacki, who this week has become no.1 WTA, instead of Romanian Simona Halep. The two tennis players met on Saturday in the finals of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. Halep gave up playing in the tournament in Russia.

  • November 23, 2017

    November 23, 2017

    NO CONFIDENCE VOTE — The two chamber Parliament in Bucharest is today debating a censure motion tabled by the right-of-centre opposition against the coalition government. Signed by MPs from the National Liberal Party, the Save Romania Union, the People’s Movement Party and by independent MPs and read out in Parliament on Monday, the motion calls for the resignation of the cabinet led by the Social Democrat Mihai Tudose, whom they accuse of disturbing the economic environment and the legal system, and of worsening the population’s living standard. In response, the Prime Minister claims that thanks to the fiscal reform, more money will go to the budget and the pension fund next year, and companies will benefit from simplified procedures. Commentators say the chances for the motion to be adopted are slim, especially after the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania has announced it will abstain from voting, because its MPs agree with some of the measures taken by the government, and disagree with others.



    EUROPEAN FUNDS — Romania has available over 5 billion Euros under the Large Infrastructure Program, but in order to efficiently absorb this sum of money the country needs realistic planning, thorough preparation works and an efficient implementation of transport projects. The statement has been made by the EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu, who met in Brussels with Romanian transport minister, Felix Stroe, for talks on transport projects and draft projects for the 2014-2020 Large Infrastructure Operational Program, co-funded through the European Regional Development Fund. Cretu has underlined the need for the line minister in Bucharest to play the leading role in managing the sides involved in the projects, considering that contractual litigations between entrepreneurs and major transport beneficiaries have led to delays in implementing projects. At present, the Romanian authorities are tightly cooperating with international experts to draft a new standard contract, with clauses of arbitration to solve conflicts.



    JUSTICE LAWS — In Bucharest the special parliamentary committee on the justice laws has today decided that the Romanian President should no longer be able to refuse the appointment of judges and prosecutors. The Liberals’ representatives have criticised this proposal and have explained that the Romanian President is also the head of Romania’s Supreme Defence Council and should have the right to refuse the appointment of a judge or of a prosecutor. The committee’s proceedings started on Wednesday and the debates have been marked by disputes between the power and a part of the opposition. The Liberal MPs left the room, being discontent about the rejection of their proposal that the justice laws package be debated in a normal parliamentary procedure and not by a special committee. The justice laws are vehemently contested by civil society. President Klaus Iohannis has also said he is worried about this issue.



    GAUDEAMUS BOOK FAIR — The Gaudeamus Book Fair, organised by Radio Romania, continues in Bucharest today. The second day of the event will truly be a special one, offering readers the chance to see the most sought-after books of the moment and interesting debates on literary themes. One such meeting is the round table talks “Life after life — undeciphered destinies”. The fair brings together, until Sunday, 300 exhibitors and over 800 editorial and professional events. Exhibiting are Romanian publishing houses boasting a long tradition in the field, universities, book distributors and sellers, publications, professional associations and NGOs. The honorary president of the Gaudeamus Book Fair is the famous Romanian playwright and journalist established in France, Matei Visniec, and the honorary guest of the fair this year is the European Commission.



    FOOTBALL — Romania’s vice-champion team, FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, tonight take on Viktoria Plzen, away from home, in a last-but-one fixture of Europa League’s Group C. With 10 points they won in the first four games played, FCSB are at the top of the table in their group and mathematically, they have already secured their ticket in the Cup’s round of 32, to be held in 2018. Czech contenders Viktoria Plzen are the runner-up team in Group C, followed by Hapoel Beer Sheva of Israel, with 4 points, and Switzerland’s Lugano, with 3 points on their record sheet.

  • September 19, 2017 UPDATE

    September 19, 2017 UPDATE

    ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM – The Romanian government will grant funds from the state budget to cover the damage caused by Sundays violent storm that hit several counties in western Romania, the Romanian PM Mihai Tudose has announced. He added that the authorities wanted the implementation of an integrated public alert and warning system for major risk situations, similar to that in other European states. The prime minister has discussed the issue with experts in the field and with the representatives of mobile phone operators. We recall that 8 people died and almost 140 were injured on Sunday during the violent storm that wreaked havoc in 15 counties in the west, centre and north of Romania.



    FOREIGN AFFAIRS – The Romanian Minister for European Affairs, Victor Negrescu, said on Tuesday that Romania has a well balanced positioning in the relations with the EU and the US. He also said the country can play the role of active mediator between the two sides. Victor Negrescu made these statements at the meeting “The Transatlantic Relation. 20 years on- Romania-the U.S. Strategic Partnership, organised in Bucharest by the European Institute in Romania.



    EU FUNDS- The EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu, said in the western city of Cluj on Tuesday that the Romanian authorities should simplify procedures for accessing European funds and step up the pace of the process. Corina Cretu also said the national authorities should support city halls in the effort to access European funds and added that special emphasis should be laid on innovation. In turn, the minister delegate for European Funds, Rovana Plumb, said that Bucharest has managed to reduce some of the delays in accessing European funds. Minister Plumb has said huge steps forward have been taken in an effort to simplify procedures for accessing European funds. The statements have been made during a working meeting with local and regional public authorities.



    MILITARY EXERCISE – Exercise Fire Shield 2017, a multinational, combined training exercise with Moldovan and Romanian troops is unfolding in a military base in the Republic of Moldova. According to a communiqué of the Moldovan Defense ministry, the exercise is meant to jointly train artillery small units and to boost the interoperability level between the two armies. As many as 300 officers and non-commissioned officers of the Moldovan army artillery small units and more than 20 Romanian soldiers are taking part in the exercise, that is unfolding from September 18 to 22. The exercise takes place in the context in which Moldovas pro-Russian president, Igor Dodon, has recently started a conflict with the government and the leadership of the Defence Ministry over the issue of sending Moldovan military to the “Rapid Trident drill in Ukraine, on account that the drill was also being attended by troops of NATO member countries.

  • Average Absorption of European funds

    Average Absorption of European funds

    On Monday, during a formal visit to her native Romania, the European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu launched the second campaign aimed at promoting successful European projects. Thanks to such projects, more than 50,000 jobs have been created in the past 10 years, and many schools and roads have been refurbished and built. However, Corina Cretu pointed out that the money used for those projects were part of the previous multiannual financial framework. European Commissioner Corina Cretu:



    “For the 2007-2014 period, Romania had 19 billion to spend. It lost 2 billion; we are still waiting for the estimates of the Audit Court. According to our estimates, the absorption rate will stand somewhere between 90-91%, unless other big financial corrections are operated. The Commission has a few months to analyze the tons of invoices that were sent to us until March 2017, which was the deadline for submittal. But this is the estimate. It means that 17 billion entered Romania’s real economy, accounting for 5% of GDP”.



    As the title of this new promotion campaign is ‘Success is catchy’, the European official hopes that Romania will benefit from such success stories and properly use the money earmarked under the current financial framework, especially considering that today, when half of the period has already passed, the absorption rate is 0. Brussels has funds, but it expects quality, mature projects, which can be implemented right away.



    Therefore, the year 2017 is crucial for Romania with regard to attracting EU money. The invoices issued so far cover only 77% of the total amount allocated, which is the poorest performance in the whole of the EU. For the 2007-2014 period, 1 of the 2 billion Euros lost because of poor absorption were from transportation, and for the 2014-2020 programming period, the flagship project, namely the Sibiu-Pitesti motorway, which should cross the Southern Carpathians, has not managed to pass the feasibility study stage.



    As regards the issues Romania is faced with when it comes to absorbing European money, the European Commissioner said that the main problems are the lack of administrative capacity and also the lack of good projects. Corina Cretu also said that Romania is the only European country that still submits hundreds of pages long projects, although Brussels encourages the submittal of such projects in an electronic format. Moreover, she voiced her disappointment that young people no longer try to access European funds, saying that the procedures are much too complicated. (Translated by M. Ignatescu)

  • May 8, 2017 UPDATE

    May 8, 2017 UPDATE

    EUROZONE – Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis on Monday said joining the Eurozone is a strategic objective for Romania, and the decision-making factors, including the Government and the National Bank, must decide on a clear roadmap for accession, which should also reflect the impact on fiscal policies. We need many years of preparations to join the Eurozone, although Romania has fulfilled technical requirements for some time, the president added.



    FRENCH ELECTION — The pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron has won the French presidency in a decisive victory over the far-right Front National leader, Marine Le Pen. Macron, aged 39, a former economy minister, took 66.1% to Le Pen’s 33.9%. In his first speech after the result was announced Macron vowed to unite a divided and fractured France. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and PM Sorin Grindeanu hailed Macron’s election as president.



    MEETING — Romanian PM Sorin Grindeanu on Monday met with the head of the Council of Representatives from Iraq, Salim Abdullah al-Jubouri. The main topic on the agenda for talks was bilateral cooperation, with Romania possibly taking part in the economic reconstruction of this country. On this occasion, the Romanian official said two-way trade have not yet reached their full potential. In turn, the Iraqi official said there are safe zones in his country where Romanian businesses can find opportunities in such fields as transport and the oil industry.



    VISIT — European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu is as of Monday on a two-day visit to Romania. She will have talks with Deputy PM Sevil Shhaideh and will take part in a series of conferences and public events. Commissioner Cretu will also visit a project financed with EU funds at the Romanian Patriarchy and will take part in the Caravan of Structural Funds, a project that includes a series of regional conferences on European funds management. Corina Cretu’s visit to Romania coincides with the celebration of Europe’s Day, 10 years after Romania’s accession to the EU.



    EU FUNDS — EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu on Monday attended the opening press conference for the second edition of the campaign “Success is contagious!”, organized by the European Commission Representative Office in Romania. Corina Cretu said that 2017 is a crucial year for Romania with respect to structural funds, unless payments start coming in for the 2014-2020 period. The problems Romania is facing right now in terms of absorbing EU funds include its limited administrative capacity, the absence of quality projects and the lacking transport infrastructure. According to Commissioner Cretu, Romania must ‘fight’ for regional policy.



    LAW — The Senate on Monday sent back the draft law on pardoning some criminal sentences to Parliament’s judicial committee. The decision had 61 votes in favour, 41 against and 7 abstentions. On Sunday evening several hundred people protested in front of the Government and Parliament offices against the adoption of this law. Senators with the legal committee have brought several changes to the draft law, such as pardoning sentences of up to three years, reducing by 3 years the sentences that do not exceed 10 years and halving sentences in the case of pregnant women. The Senates legal committee, however, gave up the amendments pardoning corruption deeds. Social Democratic leader and Chamber of Deputies Speaker Liviu Dragnea has given assurances that the draft law passed by Parliament will not stipulate pardons for corruption deeds.



    REPORT – Romanias food sector will be a regional leader over the next five years, driven by an improving labour market, real wage growth and low levels of inflation, according to a report made public recently by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Economic growth is expected to maintain its upward trend, which anticipates an increase in disposable incomes and the confidence of consumers in the economy and the future, the report also reads. Sales in retailing are also expected to continue to grow over the forecast period, although at a slower pace compared with the review period’s average growth. The report also shows that Romania has a remarkable tourist potential due to two main components, namely, the beautiful natural environment and its rich history.



    LITERATURE — A Masterclass in Romanian-British Literary Translation will be held at the Romanian Cultural Institute in Bucharest, between May 8 and 13. As many as six British writers have been invited to work on translations from Romanian contemporary works of fiction. The Radio Romania Culture channel is one of the partners in the event.



    TENNIS – Romania’s best tennis player, Simona Halep, no. 8 in the world, defeated Krystina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, 6-1, 6-2 and will be up against Italian Roberta Vinci in the second round of the Madrid tournament. Another Romanian, Sorana Cirstea, no. 38 in the world, beat Russian Anastasia Pavliucenkova and will next play against American Catherine Bellis. Irina Begu also grabbed a win, defeating Russian Elena Vesnina (14 WTA), 6-4, 6-4. (Translated by V. Palcu & E. Enache)

  • April 13, 2017 UPDATE

    April 13, 2017 UPDATE


    EU FUNDS– Romania currently has some 6.8 billion Euros available for investments in the transport sector, of which 5.1 billion from EU funds, the European Commissioner for regional policy Corina Cretu has stated. According to a news release issued by the Representation of Romania to the EU, Creţu discussed in Brussels on Wednesday with the Romanian Transport Minister Răzvan Cuc, and emphasised the need to spend up the funds provided by the EU. Corina Creţu also mentioned the benefits entailed by the programmes in this sector, which allowed for the transport network in Romania to be extended and improved. In turn, Minister Răzvan Cuc presented the commitment of Romanian authorities to finalising the current investments and starting new projects.



    FINANCE– The Romanian Financial Oversight Authority on Thursday sanctioned NN, the largest private pension fund in the country, with a fine of 750,000 lei, accounting for 1% of the companys registered capital, for transmitting information aimed to destabilise the pension fund, Ion Giurescu, the vice-president of the Authority has announced. The decision was made as a result of the fact that on Wednesday, NN sent an e-mail to its clients warning them about an alleged nationalisation of private pension funds. Also, the Financial Oversight Authority decided on Thursday to witdraw the authorisation of Raluca Tintoiu as general manager of NN Pensions and to give her a fine of 100,000 lei. In the coming days, Romanias Parliament will initiate the procedures to dismiss the entire management of the Financial Oversight Authority. The announcement has been made by the president of the governing Social Democratic Party Liviu Dragnea, following the scandal about the alleged nationalisation of private pension funds. According to Dragnea, the head of the Authority Misu Negritoiu was the one who started the rumours. Both the Social Democratic leader and the Finance Minister Viorel Stefan have denied that such a scenario is being considered.



    CORRUPTION – Romanias President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday approved the request made by the National Anticorruption Directorate to start the prosecution of Gabriel Sandu, a former minister of communications and IT between 2008-2010. He has been investigated for abuse of office in a new case of corruption, known as Microsoft 2. On Tuesday, anticorruption prosecutors started the prosecution of another 5 people, among whom the former tennis player Dinu Pescariu and the businessman Claudiu Florica, also accused of abuse of office. Prosecutors say that the two allegedly paid Gabriel Sandu, the communications minister back then, more than 2 million Euros, through another businessman, to help them win a public tender. In this case, the estimated damage stands at some 51 million Euros. Gabrel Sandu already got a prison sentence in October 2016 in the case known as Microsoft 1, one of the biggest cases of corruption in Romania. In that case, bribe stood at 60 million Euro, and the damage to the Romanian state was estimated at 27 million.



    FDI – Foreign direct investments in Romania went up by 85% in the first months of the year, as compared to the same period in 2016, reaching 655 million Euros, according to a press release made public on Thursday by the National Bank of Romania. According to the Bank, between January – February 2017, the current account of the balance of payments registered a surplus of 204 million Euros, as compared to a deficit of 139 million in the first two months of the year 2016.



    EXPORTS– Romanian exports to Syria were 80% lower in 2016 than in 2011, when civil war broke out in that country. In 5 years, Romania has lost at least 500 million euros in exports, the daily Ziarul Financiar reports. Syria mostly imported livestock from Romania, sheep and goats, as well as dairy, eggs and fish. The daily also mentions that Romania has stayed uninvolved in the conflict in Syria, and in 2012 the then President Traian Băsescu would not close the Romanian diplomatic mission in Damascus, arguing that the country hosted a large Romanian community. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, 10,000-12,000 Romanians live in Syria, mostly women married to Syrian citizens. The Embassy of Romania also provides consular assistance to citizens from other countries, like Canada, France and Australia.



    COOPERATION Airbus Helicopters and the Romanian company IAR Ghimbav on Thursday signed an agreement on the manufacturing in Romania of the multi-role twin-engine helicopter H 215 M. The embassies of France and Germany in Bucharest have hailed the agreement and have stated they support this cooperation. According to the French Ambassador to Bucharest Francois Saint-Paul, the agreement strengthens the strategic partnership and is a symbol of Romanias, Frances and Germanys European commitment in the field.



    BORDER SECURITY– Romanian check points are getting crowded, because of a new European regulation tightening border checks, which took effect last week, and because of increased traffic ahead of the Easter holidays, the General Border Police Inspectorate reports. Waiting times for the trucks entering Romania at the Siret checkpoint in the north-east reach 10 hours. Problems are also reported at Giurgiu in the south and Petea in the north-west, where waiting times are around 90 and 60 minutes, respectively, while in Albiţa, in the north-east and Ostrov, in the south-east, those who want to cross the border have to wait for at least 30 minutes. The longest automobile queues are reported in Giurgiu and Petea. Border police say they are trying to strike a balance between citizen security and smooth traffic.



    AFGHANISTAN – In a video conference on Thursday, the Romanian Defence Minister Gabriel Les addressed the Romanian soldiers deployed in Kandahar and Kabul on the occasion of the Easter holidays. He thanked them for the way in which they had been serving their country, far from their families and the loved ones. Currently, Romania has in Afghanistan infantry, advisers to the Afghan military, intelligence structures, logistical support staff and special operations forces.



    GOOD FRIDAY – Christians all over the world, including in Romania, which is a predominantly Orthodox country, will recollect on Good Friday Christs crucifixion. Some believers drink only water on this day and many attend the religious masses symbolizing the carrying of Jesus to his tomb. On Thursday, Christians commemorated Holy Thursday, when the Saviour washed the feet of his disciples, had the Last Supper and was arrested following Judass betrayal. On Saturday night Christians will celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of Christ. This year, the Orthodox and Catholic Christians celebrate Easter on the same day.




  • April 13, 2017

    April 13, 2017

    EU FUNDS – Romania currently has available for investments in the transport sector over 6.8 billion euro, of which 5.1 billion from EU funds, said the European Commissioner for regional policy Corina Cretu. According to a news release issued by the Representation of Romania to the EU, Creţu discussed in Brussels yesterday with the Romanian Transport Minister Răzvan Cuc, and emphasised the need to spend up the funds provided by the EU. Corina Creţu also mentioned the benefits entailed by the programmes in this sector, which allowed for the transport network in Romania to be extended and improved. In turn, Minister Răzvan Cuc presented the commitment of Romanian authorities to finalising the current investments and start new projects.




    EXPORTS – Romanian exports to Syria were 80% lower in 2016 than in 2011, when civil war broke out in that country. In 5 years, Romania has lost at least 500 million euros in exports, the daily Ziarul Financiar reports. Syria mostly imported livestock from Romania, sheep and goats, as well as dairy, eggs and fish. The daily also mentions that Romania has stayed uninvolved in the conflict in Syria, and in 2012 the then President Traian Băsescu would not close the Romanian diplomatic mission in Damascus, arguing that the country hosted a large Romanian community. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, 10,000-12,000 Romanians live in Syria, mostly women married to Syrian citizens. The Embassy of Romania also provides consular assistance to citizens from other countries, like Canada, France and Australia.




    BORDER SECURITY – Romanian check points are getting crowded, because of a new European regulation tightening border checks, which took effect last week, and because of increased traffic ahead of the Easter holidays, the General Border Police Inspectorate reports. Waiting times for the trucks entering Romania at the Siret checkpoint in the north-east reach 10 hours. Problems are also reported at Giurgiu in the south and Petea in the north-west, where waiting times are around 90 and 60 minutes, respectively, while in Albiţa, in the north-east and Ostrov, in the south-east, those who want to cross the border have to wait for at least 30 minutes. The longest automobile queues are reported in Giurgiu and Petea. Border police say they are trying to strike a balance between citizen security and smooth traffic.




    DECENTRALISATION – The Government of Romania endorsed yesterday a Decentralisation Strategy, aimed at bringing all public services closer to the citizens. The sectors targeted by the process are agriculture, education, healthcare, culture, environment, youth, sports and tourism. Until November, the relevant ministries will conduct impact analyses and will draw up sector-specific regulations for each field subject to decentralisation.




    FINANCE – The Parliament of Romania will initiate the procedures to dismiss the management of the Financial Oversight Authority. The announcement, made by Liviu Dragnea, the president of the ruling Social Democratic Party, comes following a scandal involving the alleged nationalisation of private pension funds. Liviu Dragnea claims the head of the Financial Oversight Authority Mişu Negriţoiu started the rumours regarding the nationalisation, and denies that such a scenario is being considered. Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry is working on changes in the Fiscal Code to the effect of introducing a tax on household incomes. Suggestions include the introduction of the concept of household as an entity for tax purposes, a 10% flat tax rate as of January 2018 and tax deductions. At present, the income tax in Romania is calculated on an individual basis and the flat tax rate is 16% per month.




    HOLY THURSDAY – Christians around the world, including in mostly Orthodox Romania, commemorate Holy Thursday today, when the Last Supper was followed by the arrest and trial of Christ. Tonight, Orthodox Christians attend the Matins of the 12 Gospels, when they listen to 12 biblical texts about the last moments in the life of Jesus. On Saturday night Christians will celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of Christ. This year, the Orthodox and Catholic Christians celebrate Easter on the same day.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • European funds: success and failure

    European funds: success and failure

    Halfway through
    the 2014-2020 financial framework, Romania’s rate of absorbing EU funds is zero,
    the European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu has warned during
    her latest visit to Bucharest. Under the circumstances, the authorities must
    take immediate action to see that the funds Romania has been allotted by the EU
    are accessed.




    Following talks
    with Romania’s Prime Minister, Sorin Grindeanu, Commissioner Cretu said it is
    key that EU funds should be spent strategically while observing Romania’s
    investment priorities stipulated in the country’s Partnership Agreement. She
    noted that under the 2007-2014 financial framework, Romania’s absorption rate
    stood at over 90%, which means 17 billion euros of the total of 19 billion made
    available for Romania. The money was invested in Romanian economy and this can
    be seen at local level. The European Commission expects Bucharest to appoint
    new management and control authorities. According to Corina Cretu, EU
    structural and investment funds should go hand in hand with financing Romania’s
    local development programme. Prime Minister Grindeanu firmly argued in favour
    of unblocking certain areas that would allow attracting EU funds:




    Over the past
    couple of months we have taken measures so that all management authorities
    should obtain certification by the end of the year. Additionally, over the
    coming period, we will be signing financing IT contracts under the
    Competitiveness Framework Programme. You will be seeing a large number of
    guidelines for financing being published. These things will be ready to launch
    in April.




    On the other
    hand, Romania can absorb some 250 million euros worth of funds for the
    modernisation of 280 hospitals and healthcare units, Commissioner Corina Cretu
    also said. The funds are mainly aimed at rehabilitating and expanding 42 county
    hospitals. One goal is to help the population in rural areas get direct access
    to quality healthcare services. Commissioner Corina Cretu also met Romanian
    Minister Delegate for European Funds, Rovana Plumb. The latter said Romania’s
    objective this year is to absorb 5.2 billion euros from the funds available
    under the Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common
    Fisheries Policy.



  • March 16, 2017

    March 16, 2017

    EU FUNDS – The European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu, is to discuss today with PM Sorin Grindeanu about the measures the Government of Romania should take immediately in order to recover the delays in absorbing the EU funds earmarked to the country for 2014-2020. This will also be the topic of meetings Corina Creţu will have today with other Cabinet members as well, and with the Mayor General of Bucharest, Gabriela Firea. The EU official has once again warned that, mid-way into the accessing period, the fund absorption rate is zero. She said Romania should hurry, because in the context of talks about the future of the EU, cohesion funds may be reduced in the future. On the other hand, Corina Creţu says that European Commission estimates indicate the spending rate for 2007 – 2013 is above 90%.



    WORKER ABUSE – The Romanian minister for the diaspora, Andreea Pastarnac, is traveling today to Ragusa, in the south of Italy, an area where thousands of Romanian women work in forced labour conditions in Sicilian farms. Pastarnac is heading a governmental delegation that began a working visit to Italy on Wednesday, following reports on Romanian citizens subject to abuse in Sicily. So far, talks have been held with local authorities, experts, and regional officials. Emphasis has been laid on bilateral judicial cooperation, on securing equal opportunity to all EU citizens and on the provision of accurate information on the rights of workers employed in Italy. Up to 7,500 women, mostly Romanians, are subject to exploitation and abuse in farms in southern Italy, according to estimates made by the Italian police. The British weekly The Observer reported on Sunday that the abuse cases, including beatings, threats and rape, are hardly ever prosecuted and punished.



    IMF TALKS – The Prime Minister of Romania Sorin Grindeanu has a meeting scheduled today with an IMF delegation present in Bucharest these days. He says investments are higher than last year, but better spending of EU funds is also very important. The head of the IMF mission in Romania, Reza Baqir, had a meeting on Wednesday with deputy PM Sevil Shhaideh and announced that conclusions regarding the economic policies discussed with the Romanian authorities will be presented at the end of the visit, on Friday. Also today, Sorin Grindeanu and the Finance Minister Viorel Stefan will look into plans to increase the salaries of local elected officials by 30%, and will analyse means to extend a ceiling on compulsory motor insurance policies.



    POLICE PROTESTS – Romanian policemen are protesting in Bucharest today the Governments failure to implement a new resolution on pay raises in the field. They demand an increase in salaries, the elimination of wide pay gaps between police agents and officers, the calculation of bonuses based on the current national minimum wage instead of the 2009 level, as well as changes in regulations concerning the police force working and resting time. The National Police Agents Union also wants a delegation of the protesters to have a meeting with the Interior Minister, Carmen Dan, and present her each demand in part. The protests follow the presentation of the Interior Ministrys annual report, in which Minister Dan promised to increase police salaries.



    DUTCH ELECTIONS – The Liberals, currently in power, have won Wednesdays Dutch parliamentary elections, with results showing that PM Mark Ruttes party gets 31 out of the 150 seats in Parliament. The far-right, anti-immigration party headed by Geert Wilders, a long-time favourite in polls, will control 19 seats, the same as the Christian-Democrats and the D66 party. According to analysts quoted by the Radio Romania correspondent in The Hague, the record-high turnout, standing at 81%, seems to have benefited the pro-EU parties, in an election closely watched by other European countries, such as France and Germany, which are also facing a rise in populism ahead of this years elections. Jean-Claude Juncker sees the outcome of the elections in The Netherlands as a victory for the European Union and a vote against extremism.



    SPORTS – Romanias rugby team is preparing for Sundays home match against Georgia, the last in the current Rugby Europe Championship season. The game is viewed as a final of the competition, with Romania ranking second with 15 points and the Georgians topping the standings with 18 points. Performance in Rugby Europe Championship is also a qualification criterion for the 2019 World Cup. Meanwhile, in tennis, the Romanian-Dutch pair Horia Tecau / Jean-Julien Rojer failed to qualify into the semi-finals of the Indian Wells tournament in California. No Romanian players are left in the competition, after all 5 players in the singles were defeated. The best ranking Romanian player, Simona Halep, will go down one place in the ATP standings, to no. 5.

  • Romania and European Funds

    Romania and European Funds

    Romania has a historic opportunity to get involved in the process of re-launching the European Union, which has been affected by Brexit and the rise of nationalist movements, the European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu has told Radio Romania. She urged the authorities to act in such a way as to get Romania significantly involved in the reform process recently launched by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, who also presented 5 scenarios regarding the future of the Union. On the other hand, Corina Creţu has again drawn attention to the importance of attracting and using European funds. Corina Creţu:



    “After EU accession, Romania had billions of euros at its disposal. We do want to make things better, but quite often we are tempted to talk about failures. Nevertheless more than 8,000 jobs have been created, and hundreds of schools, hospital units and hospitals were refurbished in the previous financial year. We are not faring equally well in the field of transports, because only 124 kms of highway have been built with European funds. Still we have managed to build 900 national roads. In this financial year we have over 23 million euros made available from the European Fund for Regional Development, we have cohesion funds, that should be used in strategic domains to modernize society, such as transports, small and medium sized enterprises, competitiveness, research and waste management infrastructure.”



    Commissioner Creţu recalled that the three regional hospitals will be built from European funds in Cluj (central), Iasi (northeast) and Craiova (southwest). The locations have been set already and the European Investment Bank will draft feasibility studies in the coming period. Corina Creţu:



    “I hope that by early 2018, at the latest, we will start the actual construction of the three regional hospitals in order to be able to spend the money by 2020. Such infrastructure projects cannot be built overnight. Therefore, we need at least several years to build these hospitals.”



    According to Corina Creţu, Romania has at its disposal further European funds to modernize another 280 hospitals across Romania. She has again called on the Romanian authorities to attract community funds, especially now when the states with powerful economies are asking for a cut in the aid granted to less developed countries. In the period 2007-2013 Romania lost two billion euros worth of EU funds, although the framework was extended by more than 3 years and is coming to a close this month. The European Commissioner added that they managed to save more than a billion euros through backdated projects, and several projects with big delays were saved through the phasing out procedure. These projects will be accomplished with the help of funds allotted for the 2013-2020 period. (Translated by L. Simion)