What are the next steps in the PNRR after the approval of Romania's fourth payment request. Prime Minister Bolojan's announcement
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Friday, May 15, that he welcomes the decision of the European Commission (EC) to approve the payment request from the PNRR in the amount of 2.6 billion euros, stating that it represents “an important step for Romania and for the continuation of investments financed from European funds”.
Ilie Bolojan/PHOTO: Mediafax/Alexandru Dobre
“I am glad that yesterday the European Commission approved the payment request from the PNRR in the amount of 2.6 billion euros, an important step for Romania and for the continuation of investments financed from European funds.
I thank the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and her team for this result, which confirms that Romania's reform efforts are recognized at European level”the prime minister said on Facebook.
The Prime Minister adds that he represents “the result of a period of technical and institutional work, in which the Commission's requests were clarified and the conditions were created so that these funds could be unlocked”, thanking everyone involved in this effort.
Ilie Bolojan says that the funds from PNRR will allow the continuation of payments for projects and builders from June and emphasizes that Romania must complete the reforms quickly in order not to lose billions of euros in European funding.
The Prime Minister says that the next two weeks are decisive, there are more than 35 milestones that must be met in order to access approximately 7.5 billion euros.
“Unable to adopt ordinances, we decided to submit the projects to the Parliament, inform all parties and ask for their adoption as an emergency.
Some projects are already advanced, such as the use of degraded land for investments in renewable energy and digitization of research, and others, such as water reform, decarbonization and wages, are in the final stage of negotiation”
Last but not least, Bolojan conveys that, even in the interim, the priority of the Government “it remains to accelerate the reforms and ensure the absorption of European funds for the development of Romania.”
On Wednesday, the EC issued a positive preliminary assessment for the fourth payment request submitted by Romania under the PNRR, in the amount of 2.62 billion euros, after the authorities met 38 milestones and 24 targets regarding the reforms and investments assumed.
The European Commission says that the funds from this payment request will support several important areas, including the sustainable management of forests, the reduction of emissions from transport and energy, the reform of tax administration and pensions, but also the development of medical and social infrastructure for people with disabilities.
“Also, these funds are intended to strengthen the decision-making process at the government level, promote digitalization, improve the efficiency of the justice system, strengthen the fight against corruption and support the development of the education system”, sends the European Commission in a press release.
