Government spokesman Dan Suciu said the Commission has announced its intention to resume these payments “as an exceptional measure,” given Romania’s economic situation.
The Commission’s decision comes with conditions, however. The Finance Ministry’s Certification and Payment Authority will withdraw two payment requests, sent in on December 21, 2011 and February 6, 2012, and resend them with a value reduced by 10%. Romania will commit to using this preventive correction throughout 2012 when necessary, as well as applying systemic corrections if needed, Suciu said.
This restriction will remain in place at least until June 30, 2012, but may be extended, depending on the results of the Commission’s audit mission in April-May.
On February 20, Romania’s Ministry of European Affairs received an official notice from the Commission, announcing the interruption of payments for the HR development program.
The Commission’s Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL) stated problems found by the Romanian Audit Authority are associated with project selection and first-level verification procedures. As a result, the Commission decided to stop sending refunds to Romania for up to six months.