The European Commission transferred over half a billion euros to Romania for large infrastructure projects. Finance announcement

The Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare, announced on Tuesday that more than 586 million euros were transferred by the European Commission to the accounts opened at the National Bank of Romania, amounts requested through the Transport Program 2021-2027, from the Cohesion Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.

“Very good news for public finances and for Romania's economy, on the penultimate day of the year. Today, December 30, the European Commission transferred over 586 million euros to the accounts opened at the National Bank of Romania. The money represents amounts requested through the Transport Program 2021-2027, from the Cohesion Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, according to Article 93 paragraph (2) of Regulation (EU) no. 1060/2021”, declared the Minister of Finance in a message that he shared on his Facebook page.

Alexandru Nazare states that these amounts come from expenses initially made through PNRR, by beneficiaries in the field of transport, for large infrastructure projects – such as the Ploieşti–Buzău–Focşani highway, but also other important investments. In the September-December period, the Government of Romania, through the Ministry of Transport, with the support of the European Commission, moved these projects to the Transport Program 2021-2027, for an efficient use of European funds.

“Very important: this money does not come from Romanians' fees and taxes. They are European funds that go directly into Romania's economy and are direct investments in infrastructure, regional development and public services. The result is possible thanks to the coordinated team work between the Ministry of Transport, through the management authority of the Transport Program 2021-2027, the Ministry of Finance and the beneficiaries of the projects (CNAIR, CN CFR SA, Metrorex, etc.)”, Nazare emphasized.

“Thank you, Raffaele Fitto, executive vice-president of the European Commission, for the support given to Romania – including following the discussions during his visit to our country, when we requested support for the acceleration of these payments,” the Minister of Finance wrote.

Nazare states that, “in addition, yesterday December 29, local public authorities made payments through the treasury of approximately 714 million lei on Title 60 – PNRR grants, for investments made by them from European funds: urban mobility, energy efficiency and other investments useful to communities”.

“They are the results of the rectification and framing of a realistic budget focused on securing the funds that ensure the premises of a healthy economic growth”, he claims.