Another 2.8bn euros in EU financial aid

There is one good thing about not joining the European Union in 2004: financial support worth about 2.8 billion euros, which the European Commission will grant Romania in 2004-2006, under the pre-accession programme.
According to the Government spokesperson Claudiu Lucaci, after the first ten candidates join the EU in 2004, the European Commission will have about 8.2 billion euros available for 2004-2006. The Commission decided to channel some of this money to Bulgaria and Romania.
The Government has analysed the European Commission’s proposals to increase non-reimbursable aid to Romania between 2004-2006, to secure the necessary co-funding for running the Phare, ISPA and SAPARD programmes. Moreover, next year’s budget schedules 300 million euros in its European financing section.
“It is true that Romania benefits from a significant amount from the European Union, and, as of 2004, this amount will grow by 40% of the funds granted between 2001-2003, but our needs are also much bigger, given the preparations that must precede implementation of the community acquis. The amounts we need are almost 180% higher than those proposed by the European Commission in the road-map draft,” said Integration minister Hildegard Puwak. The Finance Ministry representatives showed that Romania would be able to provide the necessary co-financing for these community programmes, as part of the budget parametres for the next years.
The final decision regarding these funds will be made by the chiefs of EU states during the European Council in Copenhagen (December 12-13, 2002). The European Integration Ministry representatives say they will lobby the EU member states, to obtain bigger funds for Romania from the Council.  Non-reimbursable EU financing for 2000-2006 revolves around 660 million euros annually, which accounts for about 2% of Romania’s Gross Domestic Product and 7% of the Government budget.