The Sectoral Operational Program – Transport 2007-2013, which is structured into four main priority axes, includes TEN-T modernisation and development through the implementation of measures related to environmental protection, the modernisation and development of national transport networks, rail, maritime and intermodal transport promotion and the development of sustainable transport.
Following the European Commission’s SOP-T approval, the Romanian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI) elaborated the Implementation Framework Document, which provides additional information concerning the categories of projects, activities and eligible SOP-T beneficiaries. The total budget allocated for projects is of EUR 5.7 Billion, of which EUR 4.57 Billion will be financed by the EU. The state budget will allocate EUR 1.09 Billion. Seeing as in 2009 the level of European funding was of only EUR 36 Million, MTI announced that, by the end of 2010, they will attract hundreds of millions of euros worth of European funding. “SOP-T is a difficult program, compared to other European programs, and it doesn’t bring fast results. There are a lot of steps that we need to make before all the projects that we submitted can be approved. By the end of the year, we will absorb hundreds of millions of euros worth of European funding for all the modes of transport: railway, road and maritime”, said Constantin Dascălu, Secretary of State within the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, during the Wider Black Sea Area Railway Days Summit organised by the Romanian Railway Industry Association, Club Feroviar and CODATU. Dascălu also said that, at present, several projects worth around EUR 1 Billion have been approved by the European Union. Also, other EUR 2 Billion worth of projects have been submitted to the SOP-T Management Authority and they will be approved by the end of the year. Starting with 2011, the ministry should get ready for the next SOP-T fund allocation stage for 2014-202. “Next year we will begin negotiations for SOP-T 2014-2020. Even if there is a slight delay in absorbing the funds allocated for 2007-2013, we can cover this delay and prepare for 2014-2020. As for the SOP-T value allocated for this period, we hope that it will be at least at the same level as the one allocated for 2007-2013”, added Dascălu. During several meetings with a number of EC officials, organised in September 2010, Romanian Minister of Transport Anca Boagiu said that “together with the EC officials we will find a solution to unlock the absorption of European funds, which will give Romania the edge it needs to put to good use the EUR 4.6 Billion allocated by the EU through SOP-T until 2013. We’re in a race against time and the European Commission’s support is essential”. During these meetings, the officials evaluated the on-going projects and the ones that are going to be approved by the EC through SOP-T. Romania has many problems in absorbing European funding. That is why the World Bank has announced its support. “The issue of increasing European fund absorption may be solved with the help of the World Bank. WB is prepared to offer its support to the Romanian Government by providing technical assistance and developing new projects, as well as for pre and co-financing”, stated Cătălin Păuna, Chief Economist at WB headquarters in Bucharest, for Agerpres, in September. With regards to the projects developed in the transport sector, Anca Boagiu announced that, in the following period of time, all financial resources will be redirected to the projects developed for Pan-European Corridor IV. Secretary of State Constantin Dascălu announced during the Railway Days Summit that, “as far as the Bucharest-Constanţa rail link is concerned, the ministry will include in next year’s budget the amounts necessary to finalize the construction of the railway line which is part of Corridor IV”. In August 2010, former CFR SA General Manager Emil Sabo announced that, “by 2011, CFR SA plans to attract EUR 2.7 Billions worth of European funding. We are also certain that, by the end of the year, we will organise tenders for a value of EUR 1.6 Billions and in 2011 for a value of EUR 2 Billion, plus the amounts allocated from the state budget to co-finance the projects developed for Corridor IV”. Even is the projects developed for Corridor IV will be finalized, there are still 10.000 km of track in need of rehabilitation and modernisation and these projects require major budget funding because, as we all know, across Europe the railways are financially supported by the state.
by Pamela Luică
Share on:
