EU Commissioner Cretu tells PM Romania risks losing substantial funding unless major efforts are made

European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu, who is in Romania on a two-day official visit, said on Tuesday that unless major efforts are made, Romania risks losing important European funds this year. 

Corina Cretu met with Prime Minister Viorica Dancila at the Victoria Palace. 

"From the European Commission's point of view we will have a good relationship and a permanent dialogue. (...) We discussed the projects underway and, obviously, the problems and risks that Romania faces. As I have said before, Romania has made progress, especially in recent months, after the accreditation of the authorities for the management and control of European funds. Since August, the absorption rate has reached one billion euro, having started, as you know, from zero. The previously lost steps have been recovered, but even so, one should not slow down pace, but quite the contrary," Corina Cretu said at the end of the meeting with Premier Dancila. 

The European Commissioner mentioned that Romania has 20 billion euro allocated from the funds under her coordination. 

She also expressed confidence that the new government will address outstanding issues and take rapid action. 

Corina Cretu mentioned that she and PM Dancila discussed other initiatives that the EC has taken as well as the major decisions to be taken by the European Commission this year, referring in particular to "the future financial framework and the way how Romania will reference to all this just short before taking over the Presidency of the EU Council next year." 

Commissioner Cretu also congratulated Viorica Dancila for "the responsibility she assumed" and for being the "first woman appointed as head of government after the Revolution."

AGERPRES