New Romanian Minister for European Affairs plans to attract EUR 4 bln funds in one year

Romania’s new Minister for European Affairs, Leonard Orban, says the new Ministry will attract EUR 4 billion from European Union by the end of 2012, which means 20 percent of the total allocated structural funds. “If I will not be allowed to move things, I will resign,” said Leonard Orban (in picture) during a TV show.

Almost five years after Romania joined EU, the country didn't absorb completely more than EUR 725 million, which means 3.7 percent of the funds. Romania’s new Ministry of European Affairs has recently received the green light from the Romanian Parliament, with 254 votes for. The new Ministry is led by the Presidential Adviser and former European Commissioner Leonard Orban, who was endorsed last week by the Romanian Parliament’s committees for administration and European affairs with a majority of votes. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com (photo source: European Commission)