Brussels, 20/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Romanian and Bulgarian authorities have sent EUROPE their action plans for absorbing European funds for the 2007-2013 period (EUROPE 11293).
The Romanian plan contains a list of transversal measures for all operational programmes. They particularly highlight the setting up of retrospective projects (classifying a project that has already been launched and co-financed by the EU) and “phasing” (the process of “cutting a project in half” that has already begun and classifying the second part of the project in the future programming period). The phasing proposals will be made to the Commission during the summer and the process on the retrospective programmes is expected to be finished in April or May. The fight against fraud, improving inspections and auditing, as well as the enhancement of administrative capacity are also mentioned, in addition to the launching of programmes for the 2014-2020 period. The ministry responsible for European funds explained that the measures specific to each operational programme would be put in place at the same time. It is hoping to have between 60 and 80% of absorption completed by the end of 2015 (it should be pointed out that the current absorption rates stand at 60%).
Bulgaria's action plan contains measures for four operational programmes: Transport, Environment, Competitiveness and Technical Assistance. The first three programmes will be affected by phasing. With regard to the fourth project, Bulgaria intends to use the budgetary flexibility already allowed within the regulatory framework and is possibly planning to launch new programmes. At a transversal level, a mechanism has been set up at a national level to facilitate payments to beneficiaries. The ministry will conduct an analysis by June 2015 to establish whether additional measures are required. It also explains that it has a list of reserve projects that it will use if necessary.
The Czech Republic's action plan has not yet been validated by DG Regio but it explained to EUROPE that it will also use phasing. (Jean Comte)