European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu met with the new Minister of EU funds, Mr. Nica Marius, and Secretary of State in the Ministry of European Funds, Ms. Mihaela Ciuciureanu.
The agenda also featured the implementation status of the operational programs 2007 - 2013, the adoption of the new operational programs 2014 - 2020, the fulfillment stage of the ex ante financial instruments, projects retrospective financing and phasing and the impact of the special group for the better implementation.
The Regional Policy Commissioner congratulated Minister Nica on his appointment and assured him of her full support:
"Given that we have a long and difficult road to go in the implementation and proper and efficient use of European structural and investment funds in Romania, you can count on my and my team’s support to achieve our common goals."
Helping countries that have experienced difficulties in implementing European projects, such as Romania, it was a priority for Corina Cretu since taking office as European Commissioner:
"We created since last year a special working group at the General Directorate under my subordination to identify possible solutions to accelerate the absorption of EU funds in Romania.
Until now, through the Juncker Commission decisions, the decommitment of nearly 750 million was avoided just by accepting the retrospective funding of projects around the Constanta ring road, the Timisoara, Constanta and Cernavoda highways and of national road DN 56, DN 66, DN 76.
"We have also supported the development of the administrative capacity by accepting the staff salaries reimbursement of those managing European funds, including for 2014, provided business performance criteria is applied ", the Commissioner said.
In concluding the meeting, Corina Cretu stressed the need for Romania to continue the absorption efforts :
"Both me and my services, we do everything that depends on us to help Romania to invest as much as possible in the funds available for the period 2007 - 2013, but our efforts have to be answered by the authorities in Bucharest with the same determination and effective solutions for improving the system of EU funds management.