Seven MEPs will travel to Cluj-Napoca and Alba in Romania to observe EU-financed infrastructural and environmental investments in the region.
From 15 to 17 May 2023, seven MEPs from the Regional Development Committee will tour the northwest and central regions of Romania to examine the infrastructure- and environment-related projects supported by Cohesion Policy resources and discuss related programming and absorption issues.
In the context of the combined energy and inflation crises, with the war in Ukraine having a serious impact on Romanian regions, MEPs will observe the situation on the ground, and discuss current challenges and future needs with local and regional representatives and funds beneficiaries. They will also have the opportunity to exchange views on the topic with members of the Romanian parliament. MEPs intend to use the visit to draw lessons for the new 2021-2027 programming period.
During the mission, MEPs will tour several projects supported by the structural and investment funds such as the integrated management system of municipal waste in Galda de Jos financed by the Cohesion Fund, the Alba Carolina Citadel, the largest fortress in Central and South-Eastern Europe, and the project on the Somes River aimed at modernising and expanding the pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure both supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). They will also learn more about production capacities of the Jidvei wine cellar, which were developed with the help of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). In addition, MEPs will visit the Cluj Innovation Park, created to coordinate and develop the Regional Center of Excellence for Creative Industries (CREIC) and the Center of Technology, Evolution, Entrepreneurship and Microenterprises (TEAM).
“This delegation visit is of utmost importance for our committee and for the European Parliament. It will provide us with an insight into how funds are implemented on the ground and the needs of local people and authorities. This will be key to our discussions on the future of cohesion policy. We are looking forward to being there,” noted Younous Omarjee (The Left, FR) head of the delegation.
Chair Omarjee will be joined by six other MEPs travelling in the delegation: Daniel BUDA (EPP, RO), Corina CREȚU (S&D, RO), Mircea-Gheorghe HAVA (EPP, RO), Krzysztof HETMAN (EPP, PL), Dan MOTREANU (EPP, RO), and Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG).
