Romanian Prime Minister: Investigations are blocking EU-financed programs

Romania has EU-financed programs worth EUR 3.3 billion which are blocked in investigations, said Prime Minister Victor Ponta. The money, which correspond to the 2007-2013 programming period, could be lost if these programs are not implemented by the end of the year. Ponta spoke during the event which marked the approval of the Large Infrastructure Operational Programme (POIM) for the 2014-2020 programming period. “Let’s learn from this painful experience 2007-2013 and have no program blocked by investigations in the future programming period,” Ponta said, cited by local Mediafax. Romanian prosecutors have carried out several investigations on frauds related to EU funds. editor@romania-insider.com