Bucharest authorities bank on renegotiations of the EU budget next year, they added.
According to the sources, a memorandum on the budget of the European Union for 2014-2020 discussed by the Government Tuesday includes details regarding Romania’s participation in a special summit of the European Council in Brussels regarding the future EU multiannual financial framework.
Figures indicate that the European Union plans to reduce cohesion fund allocations by EUR12.5 billion, the sources said.
The Romanian Government does not accept increasing the contribution to the EU budget either, arguing that the measure would put pressure on the budget and would reduce funds needed for development.
Authorities in Bucharest consider that Romania should oppose plans to lower European co-financing for EU-funded projects from 85% to 75%.
If during negotiations a link is made between the country’s current structural fund absorption rate and allocations for 2014-2020, and this reference leads to significant fund reductions for Romania, the country will take any steps to reject this proposition, including blocking the adoption of the future financial framework, according to a Government standpoint.
Government representatives declined to officially present details from the memorandum, and said only that the document has been approved.
Romania has been allotted EUR20 billion in structural funds for 2007-2013. According to data on the website of the European Affairs Ministry, European Commission’s reimbursements to Romania stood at about 10% at the end of October.