The Government approved on Thursday, by decision, the first amendment to the Loan Agreement between Romania and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEDB), worth 177 million euros, for the modernization of the judicial infrastructure in Romania.
According to a press release from the Government, the deadline for drawing funds is extended by 12 months, from May 31, 2025 to May 30, 2026, in order to ensure the financing of the contracts included in the Agreement.
"The Ministry of Finance and the CEDB agreed on this amendment at the request of Romania, through letters signed in Bucharest on October 4, 2024 and in Paris on December 20, 2024, as a result of delays in signing the contracts for the execution of the penitentiaries, which made it impossible to complete them on time," the press release states.
The loan agreement envisages financing the following projects: construction of a 1,000-bed penitentiary in Berceni, Prahova; construction of a 900-bed penitentiary in Unguriu, Buzau; construction of a training centre for prison staff in Pantelimon, Ilfov; construction of a rehabilitation centre for prison officers in Rodbav, Brasov.
The total estimated net cost of the projects is 221.5 million euros, of which 177 million euros (approximately 80%) is financed by the CEB loan, and 44.5 million euros, representing Romania's contribution, will be allocated from the budget of the Ministry of Justice. So far, 43 million euros has been drawn down.
The institution responsible for implementing the project is the Ministry of Justice, through the National Penitentiary Administration (ANP).
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