Romania May Be Denied Over EUR10 Million In EU Funds

Romania may be denied European pre-accession funds worth RON41.9 million (over EUR10 million), granted through PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD, because of delayed auctions, lack of funds for project co-financing and the poor quality of the projects in progress.

The contracts which may be blocked from receiving European pre-accession funds are destined for county roads maintenance, water supply and waste management systems expansion, as well as electricity networks, road upgrade and tourism services development, according to a Government document obtained by MEDIAFAX.

The problems include builders failing to respect agreements made with the authorities, failing to complete technical projects on time, increasing ineligible expenses as a consequence of flaws in the evaluation of completion conditions, works which have not yet begun despite their immediate deadlines or works completed only up to 20%, the lack of own resources for co-financing, delayed auctions.

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc asked prefects on Sunday to present, by May 20, a report on the state of auctions for EU-funded projects with signed contracts, worth over EUR750 million, included in the local infrastructure development Regional Operations program.

Another report, regarding the state of works financed through ISPA and SAPARD programs, is to be submitted by May 27.

Mediafax