Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Cretu received Tuesday, January 27 in Brussels, the visit of Eugen Teodorovici, Minister of European Funds in Romania.
Corina Cretu recommended to Minister Teodorovici to be actively involved in the work of the Task Force set up to help Member States with funds absorption problems:
"We are ready to do everything up to us to help you invest more money in the months remaining in the period 2007 - 2020, but we need you to come and meet us with the best and most efficient solutions to do this, " Corina Cretu said.
One solution the Commissioner has already expressed its support for is the retroactive financing of projects:
"I want you to understand that it is a great effort for the Commission to consider and approve these projects in a short time and we do not encourage this practice in the future, but we have all willingness to resort to the latter solution to help Member States to use as much as possible of the remaining funds. We all want to achieve the objectives agreed between Romania and the Commission " , the Commissioner said.
On the same occasion, Corina Cretu stressed the importance of using financial instruments in implementing regional development policy:
"Financial instruments are the future of cohesion funds. With their help, we can do ten times more with the same money. I expect Romania to grasp this opportunity and to double the share of financial instruments for the period 2013 - 2020. "
Finally, Commissioner encouraged Minister Tedorovici to support the implementation of the Initiative for SMEs in Romania:
"Romania has a chance to set an example for the other Member States through implementation of the Initiative for SMEs. I will address the e Bucharest Government recommend them to give full support to this.