On Thursday, Boc summoned ministers responsible with attracting EU funds for talks on increasing the fund absorption rate this year.
According to data presented by the prime minister, the projects financed with structural and cohesion funds, including national co-financing, that have been contracted and are currently being carried were worth EUR19.8 billion (64% of the total) at the end of 2011, and payments to beneficiaries amounted to EUR3 billion (14.85%).
The sums paid so far to Romania by the EC stand at only EUR700 million.
Data released by authorities last year showed that intermediary payments to Romania by November 30, 2011 amounted to about EUR716 million for all operational programs, which translates into an absorption rate of 3.72% of the total amount allotted to the country for the 2007-2013 interval.
“Unless we increase the fund absorption rate, we stand to lose a significant amount of European money,” said Boc, who called for responsibility.
The Government decided in December that European fund management authorities have 45 days to check EU fund reimbursement requests to be sent to the European Commission.
By January 16, Minister for European Affairs Leonard Orban will analyze the situation at each ministry and at the EU fund management authority to determine if they need more staff to handle EU-funded projects.
In July 2011, Romania decided to stop sending bills for EU fund reimbursements to Brussels until the bills were checked and management authorities made financial corrections.
On October 31, the Ministry for European Affairs said it informed the EC that Romania meets requirements for resumption of reimbursements for projects financed with structural funds.
On December 15, the European Commission decided to unfreeze EU funds going to Romania through the Regional Operational Program (POR).
The Government wants to attract about EUR6 billion this year, which means a 20% absorption rate.