Romania Is A Net Beneficiary Of The EU Budget

Romania is a net beneficiary of the EU budget, Cristina Arigho, EC spokesperson for financial programming and budget, said Tuesday in a press conference.

Asked to comment on Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc's statement that Romania is a net contributor to the EU budget, Arigho said data for 2007 and data available for 2008 indicate that Romania is in fact a "net beneficiary".

"Romania is currently a net beneficiary. The most recent data are from 2007. Also, preliminary data for 2008 indicate Romania is a net beneficiary," she said.

She said that, according to the situation applicable to all member states, the European financial framework allows the receipt of EU compensations and financing.

"But, based on our reports regarding countries that are contributors or beneficiaries, I can confirm that Romania is a net beneficiary," Arigho concluded.

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said repeatedly, with respect to EU fund absorption, that during the former liberal administration Romania was more of a net contributor to the EU budget than a beneficiary.

Mediafax