European Commission Official: Romania Last in EU Research Spending

The EU official said that Romania did not manage to accomplish even a quarter of its objective of granting 2% of its GDP for research until 2020.

“We recommend concentrating on investments in innovation, because Romania is in last place for both spending in research and innovation in the EU. Romania has a target of 2% GDP as intensity for research and development until 2020 (…) This goal will not be achieved. The commission did not set the goal, Romanian authorities have.

The official also pointed out that the country has a large public purchase ratio compared to its GDP. She added that many of the purchase are made without being published or discussed in advance, which helps creates a “perception of corruption” within the country.