In order to reach the 20% target for structural funds (which would basically mean EUR3 billion, since EUR1 billion has already been absorbed), the authorities should have attracted at least EUR250 million per month. But January is over and not one euro came into Romania as EU refunds, while beneficiaries received only EUR84 million.
European affairs minister Leonard Orban, who last autumn was brought into the Government precisely to put EU-funded programs in order, has an explanation: January is always a weak month in terms of attracting funds, not a lot of refund requests are sent, or they tend to be sent in the second half of the month, and this will be seen in the coming months.
The fewest refund requests are sent in the first quarter and the largest number in the fourth quarter of the year. The bad weather also hinders infrastructure works and environmental programs, the minister says.
“It is not a worrying situation. At the moment (on Monday i.e.) we have reached an absorption rate of 6.3% (while statistics show an absorption rate of 5.55% at the end of January, the same as in December 2011 -editor’s note).”
For EU fund consultants, things look slightly different. “On the ground we felt from the first few weeks of the year that things were not going as they should with the projects we are conducting. At the moment there is great uncertainty and I think there will continue to be a big difference between what the management authorities say and what they do,” says Constantin Turmac, owner of Compass Consulting.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)