Use of EU funds for Roma inclusion in Romania

31.10.2012

Question for written answer E-009952-12
to the Commission
Rule 117
Renate Weber (ALDE) , Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE) , Sonia Alfano (ALDE) , Cecilia Wikström (ALDE) , Ramon Tremosa i Balcells (ALDE)

The assessment of the national Roma integration strategies (NRIS) shows that most Member States have failed to allocate sufficient budgetary resources for Roma inclusion. Only a few Member States have identified budgetary resources and allocated specific amounts for Roma inclusion policy measures.

In Romania, the NRIS relies largely on structural funds. Romania’s absorption rate is the lowest in the EU. According to The Economist, Romania faces the prospect of losing EUR 100 million by the end of this year and more than EUR 1 billion next year in the human resources sector, amid concerns over corruption and other irregularities.

Has the Commission received any indication as to what is being done to mitigate the disastrous impact this will have on Roma integration projects in the immediate term, and what the Romanian Government intends to do to improve its absorption capacity in the longer term?

OJ C 310 E, 25/10/2013