Environment Minister Says Romania Lags Behind On EU Funds Absorption

Speaking in a press conference in Zalau, in northeastern Romanian county of Salaj, Borbely said that Romania, although member of the European Union, still hasn’t worked on high project management procedures, which, he stressed, prevents the country from successfully absorbing EU funds.

According to Borbely, Salaj is one of Romanian counties that has made progress in absorbing EU funds, as it managed to submit financing applications for funds worth EUR37 million. Moreover, local authorities in Salaj are unfolding, in association with authorities in northwestern county of Cluj, via the Sectoral Operational Program, a project worth EUR192 million meant to extend and upgrade drinkable water and wastewater systems.

The minister went on saying that Salaj has made progress over the past years as regards water sources, through projects financed from EU or state funds. Thus, 42 rural administrative-territorial units in Salaj, of a total 57, currently unfold this type of investments.