The Minister of Investments and European Projects, Marcel Bolos, made an extremely important announcement for millions of Romanians throughout the country, bringing to people's attention a series of measures to be implemented by the member states of the European Union in the midst of the energy crisis.
The Minister of Investments talks below about the 3 measures that will be applied including in Romania, and we are talking about compensating energy prices, possible vouchers for vulnerable households, but also other important measures that are meant to help Romanians who are affected by the energy crisis.
"Also, as presented by the Commission, there are three types of measures, to be implemented by the member states, namely: as a first measure would be support for vulnerable households during the energy crisis - I mention that this support, at the moment, can take the form of compensating a part of the capped energy price, but also in the form of vouchers, which can be granted to these households considered vulnerable in the spirit of the European Commission's regulations.
The second measure concerns working capital grants, which could be given to small and medium-sized businesses, also to deal with the crisis in public utilities and rising energy prices. And the third measure is related to employment and job creation, measures that are available to be financed from the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.
In the context of Romania, the ceiling, as I mentioned, the 10% is 2,4 billion euros and under the risk of confiscation at this moment, as I have emphasized countless times, we have 9,2 billion euros at the moment .
The financial year for the programming period 2014-2020 closes on 31 December 2023, it is a very good opportunity. Thank you in this way, because at the request of Romania, together with two other member states, this package of measures, valid at the level of all member states, was initiated, if you like.
We are waiting for the final form of the European Commission's regulation, which will be approved by the Parliament of the European Union, and we, in parallel, will discuss these measures at the level of the Romanian Government and the coalition to decide the form in which the three measures will be implemented I mentioned them. Also, during this period we are carrying out negotiations for the Inclusion and Social Dignity Operational Program."
