RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Zero percent absorption of EU funds

EU Commissioner Corina Cretu, concerned with Romanias slow absorption of EU funds

Zero percent absorption of EU funds
Zero percent absorption of EU funds

, 03.08.2016, 12:10

Following Romanias EU integration in 2007, the absorption of EU funds has turned out to be more complicated than anyone had expected. Disinterest, red tape and embezzlement were some of the obstacles hindering the implementation of local and regional development projects. The Spanish or Portuguese models of using the funds made available by the EU remained a utopia.



In April, within only a few months of taking office, the Minister for European Funds Aura Raducu resigned at the request of the Prime Minister, who expressed dissatisfaction with her short-term objectives. Succeeding her was Cristian Ghinea, whose priority list included the proper completion of the operational programs for 2007-2013 and launching the call for projects for the 2014-2020 period.



On Tuesday, Bucharest was harshly criticized by EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu, who expressed concern with the rate of implementing projects under the current budget framework. Although Bucharest has made continuous efforts, it has 0% absorption of EU funds for the 2014-2020 period, Commissioner Cretu has said. Regional policy has been earmarked a big chunk of the EUs overall budget, some 351 billion euros, being one of the leading investment tools of the European bloc. Furthermore, over the years, the EU has financed tens of thousands of projects with a notable impact at the level of both member states and the Union as a whole. Additionally, in the current budget execution period, over 100 billion euros are allotted to urban development, this being the first time European cities get to manage some 15 billion euros directly.



Romania has the third-largest allocation after Poland and Italy in terms of sustainable urban development. The Government has decided that 20% of EU funds should be managed directly by local officials from 39 county seats. In order to help Romanian cities make the most of the opportunity they are presented with, Commissioner Corina Cretu has announced that, jointly with DG REGIO, the Commissions Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, the Commission will organise a special event aimed at promoting all these opportunities, to be held in early October in Bucharest. Attending will be the mayors of all the 39 county seats in Romania, and of other European capitals.



In another development, the Romanian Ministry for European Funds has launched a public debate on the new guidelines for accessing EU funds by communities in marginalized urban areas with a population of over 20,000.

Mark Rutte Radu Miruta fb.com Radu Miruta
Today in the News Monday, 16 February 2026

Romania at the Munich Security Conference

  A defence ministry delegation led by minister Radu Miruţă recently took part in the Munich Conference, one of the most important and...

Romania at the Munich Security Conference
Nicuşor Dan (photo: presidency.ro)
Today in the News Monday, 16 February 2026

The Romanian President will be attending the Board of Peace

Romania’s President, Nicuşor Dan, on Sunday announced his participation this week in the first proceedings of the Board of Peace in Washington in...

The Romanian President will be attending the Board of Peace
Reuniune informală a liderilor UE / Foto: presidency.ro
Today in the News Friday, 13 February 2026

The EU will increase its competitiveness

At the end of an informal summit near Brussels on Thursday, European Union leaders promised more efficiency and less bureaucracy in business to cope...

The EU will increase its competitiveness
Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath, at the Victoria Palace / Photo: gov.ro
Today in the News Friday, 13 February 2026

The European Commissioner for Justice in Bucharest

Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, met the head of the government in...

The European Commissioner for Justice in Bucharest
Today in the News Thursday, 12 February 2026

The magistrates pensions reform sees new delay

The Constitutional Court of Romania has postponed, for the fifth time, giving a ruling on the reform of magistrates’ pensions proposed by the...

The magistrates pensions reform sees new delay
Today in the News Thursday, 12 February 2026

Military cooperation

In Brussels, at the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, European defense ministers gave the final vote on rearmament programs for eight member...

Military cooperation
Today in the News Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Public administration reform – again in the spotlight

First mentioned by the government last summer, the reform of the Romanian public administration is still a fuzzy issue half a year later, despite it...

Public administration reform – again in the spotlight
Today in the News Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Measures against online harassment

Almost 80% of the Romanian children are surfing the Internet without any restrictions and the lack of parental control is more and more visible as...

Measures against online harassment

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company