MAEur: Slow-paced implementation of operational programmes

The difference between the two kinds of absorption rate, mirrors in fact, one of the major problems the implementation of the operational programmes have been facing, related to the slow pace the beneficiaries from the financing agreements start at, and develop the subsequent agreements, and ask the disbursement of the expenditures,' the release says on.

According to the above-mentioned source, the fund absorption posed for 14.13 percent, nationwide, on Sept 30, 2011, of the EU funds due over 2007-2013. The internal payments representing money that was effectively transferred to the beneficiaries, include pre-financing and disbursements from the EU and the state budget funds. The external (effective) absorption, posed for 3.69 percent from the EU funds, over 2007-2013, at the same date. According to the EU Commission's reports, the absorption of the EU funds in an operational programme is seen as accomplished through the transfer of the Commission of the advanced payment of the disbursements. Thus, the EU Commission's disbursement totaled 0.716 million euros, on Sept 30, 2011, namely 3.69 percent of the EU funds due over 2007-2013, the release reads.

Minister Leonard Orban said last week that MAEur plans to increase the real absorption rate of the structural and cohesion funds from 3.7 to 20 percent by end 2012, because at the moment 1.9 million euros from the funds risk to be disengaged.