EIRP Proceedings, Vol 14, No 1 (2019)

Abstract

Romania’s accession to the European Union has opened new horizons for our country from theperspective of recovering the economic gaps that exist between us and the Member States. The 12 years havemeant a lot of work, representing an effort made by both the governors and the direct beneficiaries. Theabsorption capacity of the European funds has gradually increased from one year to the next between 2007 and2015. Thus, for example, in terms of the total amounts received from the EU budget the differences from oneyear to another are significant: 417.02 million euro in 2007; 641.92 million euro in 2008; 909.12 million euroin 2009, 505.73 million euro in 2010, reaching 2884.47 million euro in 2013, 3536.81 million euro in 2014,2591.36 million euro in 2015 and 3663.96 million euro in 20162. The question that arises is whether or not thismoney has contributed decisively to diminishing the gaps between Romania and the countries of the westernEuropean Union. The irregularities detected by the Managing Authorities and the Audit Authority in theprocurement procedures carried out within the projects financed by these funds only confirm that this moneyhas not always been directed where it is needed.