Romania will play an active and constructive role in the consultations for the post 2027 Multiannual Financial Framework so that it results in a balanced proposal, able to respond to the objectives of the European Union and to the political, economic and security changes, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, at the meeting with the delegation led by the European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, Piotr Serafin.

'For Romania, the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy are of major interest in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, too. These two policies are and must remain powerful tools for reducing inequalities between regions, communities and people, for stimulating convergence and increasing the competitiveness of our economies,' Marcel Ciolacu emphasized, as quoted in a government press release.

At the same time, the head of the Executive maintained that the Cohesion Policy must remain a vector of competitiveness and the main structural investment policy that should maintain the balance of the three dimensions: economic, social and territorial.

'The Cohesion Policy must continue to benefit from an adequate separate allocation, comparable with its current share. The main criterion for distributing funds among Member States must be based on the principle of supporting communities, regions and citizens who are most in need of development support and take into account their proximity to Ukraine,' the prime minister said.

In the period 2014-2020, Romania has benefited from 24 billion EUR in funding through the Cohesion Policy, achieving an absorption rate of 99.7% and ranking fourth among EU Member States, according to the press release.

'For the current programming period, 2021-2027, Romania's allocations from the European Cohesion Policy funds amount to approximately 31 billion EUR, to which the national contribution is added. This brings the total funding to approximately 44.5 billion EUR for projects in the fields of sustainable development, transport, health, education and employment, social inclusion and dignity, just transition, smart growth, digitalization, financial instruments and technical assistance. So far, calls for projects have been opened for Cohesion Policy amounting to more than 35 billion EUR, which accounts for 77% of the EU allocation for the programs,' the cited source said.

During the discussions, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also emphasized the importance of maintaining the Common Agricultural Policy after 2027 in a form that contributes to EU cohesion and security.

'The Common Agricultural Policy is the main income support instrument for farmers in the EU, and this policy must benefit from balanced allocation and simplified rules that can be easily understood and implemented by farmers,' premier Ciolacu pointed out.

In the period 2021-2027, Romania's allocation under the Common Agricultural Policy amounts to about 20 billion EUR, of which 13.3 billion EUR represent direct payments to farmers and 6.7 billion EUR funding for regional development projects.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu appreciated the initiative of the European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, Piotr Serafin, to visit the Member States for consultations in preparation of the Commission's proposal on the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

The two officials discussed making the procedures for Member States to access European funds simpler and more flexible, so that resources can be put to best use for the benefit of citizens and communities.

'The major challenges we are facing oblige us to be ambitious in terms of both objectives and funding. The future multiannual budget is particularly important to support the fulfillment of the strategic objectives of the European Union and of each Member State,' mentioned Marcel Ciolacu.

The government points out that Romania is a net beneficiary of the EU budget, and the total funding received from the European Commission, after accession to the European Union (2007-2025), is about three times higher than the national contribution paid to the EU budget, namely 101 billion EUR, compared to 33 billion EUR.

The meeting between Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, Piotr Serafin, was also attended by Victor Negrescu, vice-president of the European Parliament, Florin Barbu, minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Radu-Oprea, head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Florea; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)