Chairman of the European Court of Auditors Klaus-Heiner Lehne visits Romania. PM Dancila, Lehne discuss strengthening EU mechanism for managing European funds

Strengthening the EU mechanism for efficiently and economically managing and using the European funds for the benefit of citizens was the main topic discussed on Monday evening by Prime Minister Viorica Dancila and Klaus-Heiner Lehne, the President of the European Court of Auditors, welcomed at Victoria Palace, a press release of the Government issued on Tuesday informs. The premier reiterated the availability of cooperation with the auditing European forum, at this level, in view of maximising the absorption rate and ensuring an efficient management of the European funds, especially in domains of interest for Romania, such as infrastructure. At the same time, Prime minister Viorica Dancila appreciated the visit “as proof of the consolidation of the dialogue and collaboration” between the institutions in Romania and those in the EU, highlighting that the Gov’t “has been and is an institution open to dialogue on any theme that tackles the future of the European Union in its entirety and of Romania in particular.” In the context of Romania’s taking over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, premier Dancila conveyed that at present, “Romania is fully prepared to complete such a mission, being a country profoundly anchored in the European values, capable to assume a more active role in the decision-making process with an impact on all European citizens,” the release further reads.    Iohannis: European Court of Auditors provides a basis for increasing efficiency in using European funds   President Klaus Iohannis welcomed, on Tuesday, Chairman of the European Court of Auditors Klaus-Heiner Lehne at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, whom she told that through the reports and recommendations it makes, this European institution manages to provide an important basis for increasing efficiency and fairness in the use of European funds. According to the Presidential Administration, the talks between the two officials focused on the forthcoming Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union and also addressed the future multiannual financial framework of the EU. “The President of Romania has shown that, with regard to the priorities of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union, they will place the citizen at the forefront and will focus on the advancement of legislative files and more that can bring tangible results to European citizens, thus leading to a stronger, more democratic union, closer to its citizens and capable of ensuring their security and prosperity,” says the Presidential Administration. Iohannis mentioned that he wants the Romanian presidency of the EU Council to achieve important results, but stressed that they could only be obtained with the support of the other member states and the European institutions. He pointed out that Romania will work to make significant progress with negotiations over the EU’s post-2020 budget so that the future programming period is prepared as best as possible and without delay. The discussions also highlighted the good results achieved by the European Court of Auditors, as well as the need to further modernise the system of court of auditors in the member states of the European Union so that it may generate some flexibility and increase efficiency in the use of funds and governance. “President Klaus Iohannis appreciated the role of the European Court of Auditors and mentioned that, through the reports and recommendations it makes, this European institution has managed to provide an important basis for increasing efficiency and fairness in the use of European funds, as well as to contribute to the proper implementation of the European Union budget.” Iohannis also emphasised the importance of control mechanisms, especially when they contribute to the improvement of public policies and their effects on the economy and society, adding that it is necessary in that sense to continue and deepen co-operation with all the partner institutions, Parliament, the government and the civil society. Lehne is quoted as underscoring the need to streamline funding needs, to cut through the red tape and increase the absorption of European funds, which are essential priorities, both at the level of the European institutions and at the level of national parliaments.

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