Brussels, 21/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - It is likely that in structural fund payments to Romania, worth this time around €100 million, will again be suspended, due to irregularities detected in the assessment and eligibility of projects. The funding is from the European Social Fund, and has been earmarked for development of human resources. This operational programme has already been penalised and had its payments suspended for similar reasons in February of this year. Following an improvement in the situation, payments began again in April. It appears, however, that efforts made have not been sufficient, since the threat of suspension has returned this month. The country's European Affairs Minister Leonard Orban said that he thought it likely that the European Commission would decide to suspend payments in the next few days, according to a report by AFP. If the suspension is maintained until the end of the year, Romania could stand to lose €100 million. This sum may increase to €1.1 billion if the suspension continues to 2013. (MD/transl.fl)