The country’s EU fund absorption rate stood at 9.70% at the end of September, up from 9.69% at the end of August.
On February 20, the Ministry of European Affairs received an official notice from the European Commission, announcing the interruption of payments for the HR development program for up to six months.
In July, the Commission also stopped payments for four operational programs (transport, environment, regional development and competitiveness) after noting public procurement irregularities.
The EC is expected to make a decision in October regarding financial corrections for the latter four programs, while payments for the HR program might be resumed in December.
Romania absorbed EUR850 million in EU funds in the first nine months of 2012. The absorption target set at the beginning of the year was EUR3.5 billion.