Brussels, 26/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - The presidents and vice-presidents of six counties in the Centru region in Romania are making their first visit to Brussels following Romania's accession to the EU. In Brussels on 22 January, they met EU Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner. Romania's development level stands at 34.6% of the EU 25 average. Although per capita GDP in Centru is slightly above the national average, the region is still one of the least developed parts of Europe. Romania's accession to the European Union therefore gives Centru a great opportunity to catch up, explains a European Commission press release.
In her remarks, Commissioner Danuta Hûbner focussed on the need for all partners to work closely together to make sure that the available funding for Romania - nearly € 20 billion for 2007 - 2013 - is used effectively. "It is a common work and one of joint responsibility. It is a good sign that you came to Brussels together. Use the experience of others, benefit from networks of European regions." Commissioner Hûbner also welcomed the constructive working partnership that has been established between Romanian officials and the Commission. She expressed the Commission's expectation that Romania would focus on creating an economy that would be fully competitive in the 21st century and would introduce the Lisbon earmarking principle to its National Strategic Reference Framework.
The Centru region is composed of six counties: Brasov, Mures, Alba, Sibiu, Harghita and Covasna. With a total population of 2.523 million the region is one of the most ethnically-diverse in Romania. Its population density is 73.99/km², somewhat lower than the national average of 91.3/km². Sibiu is joint European Cultural Capital for 2007 with Luxembourg.