BRUSSELS | Conclusions of the ROREG Delegation Meeting with Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms

Following the meeting in Brussels with Mr. Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms

The ROREG delegation, represented by President Vasile ASANDEI, had the opportunity to discuss essential topics for the development of European regions.

The topics addressed included strengthening cohesion between European Union regions, improving financing mechanisms for European projects, stimulating innovation and increasing competitiveness, as well as proposals to simplify the implementation processes of projects funded by European funds.

To better understand ROREG’s perspectives on these topics and how the organization will contribute to implementing the discussed initiatives, MOLDOVA INVEST spoke with the Director General of ADR North-East and President of ROREG, Vasile Asandei, about the key aspects covered during the meeting and the vision for the future of European regions.

1. About the meeting with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, Mr. Raffaele Fitto

How was the dialogue with Mr. Raffaele Fitto structured, and what aspects do you consider most relevant for ROREG in the context of the meeting in Brussels?

Mr. Vice President Raffaele Fitto presented us with the main themes and concerns of the European Commission, including:

• assessing how the program is being implemented in the current financial cycle
• leveraging the mid-term review, emphasizing aspects related to improving the quality of life for European citizens, enhancing living conditions, implementing projects aligned with the New European Bauhaus concept, increasing competitiveness, simplifying processes, and designing programs for the next financial cycle.

Following this, we provided a brief presentation of the regional development system in Romania, highlighting the experience and expertise accumulated by the ADRs, the existence of a body of approximately 1,800 well-trained experts, and a total of 16,000 implemented projects. We also presented, in key figures, the impact of cohesion policy on Romania’s regions and a vision for future financing programs.

During the meeting, what were the common points and differences between ROREG’s perspective and the European Commission’s vision on the discussed topics?

We were pleased to find that Mr. Vice President Raffaele Fitto is well-versed in cohesion policy and a strong supporter of it, with practically no expressed differences between the two parties.

2. European Policies and Cohesion Initiatives

What are the main objectives set by the European Commission for the future of European regions, and how do they align with ROREG’s vision?

The main objectives set by the European Commission for the future of the regions will be determined at the European level through the adoption of new regulations and the approval of the budget for the next programming period. Currently, there is an intense debate on these topics. It is important to emphasize the need to maintain the principles of cohesion policy, namely shared management, subsidiarity, partnership, as well as a focus on results and impact.

In your post, you mentioned the importance of the “right to remain.” Could you elaborate on how you see this initiative and its impact on European regions?

Regarding some of the priorities already outlined, there is a strong emphasis on creating living and housing conditions in all communities, with the right to remain becoming a key priority. While much discussion has previously focused on the freedom of movement of goods, capital, and people—implicitly allowing individuals to leave for better opportunities—there is now a greater focus on creating quality living conditions in people’s places of origin. Preventing migration to other areas ensures a balanced development across regions.

The right to leave has, in many cases, turned into the need to leave in search of a better life. This issue must be addressed, and cohesion policy plays a crucial role in this process by improving living conditions, education, healthcare, leisure opportunities, transportation, and more.

3. Financing Mechanisms and Project Implementation

How do you think simplifying European financing mechanisms will facilitate regional development and the implementation of cohesion projects?

Simplifying European financing mechanisms is not a straightforward process, as projects must meet complex requirements and address diverse needs. Our approach to simplification is as follows:

• Shifting the focus to communities by strengthening their capacity to plan and prioritize necessary projects.
• Unifying requirements into a single set of rules that apply to all local needs.
• Increasing flexibility for adjusting program rules.
• Enhancing the transfer of responsibility to beneficiaries.

What challenges do you face in accelerating project implementation, and what solutions have you proposed to overcome them?

The acceleration of project implementation faces significant challenges, such as the difficulties encountered by municipal teams in complying with the varying requirements of different programs, funds, and institutions. Our approach involves maintaining an open and ongoing dialogue with beneficiaries, making step-by-step progress on each project.

What concrete proposals have you presented to Vice President Fitto to improve the financing and implementation mechanisms for projects in European regions?

We aim to shift the focus to beneficiaries, granting them full authority to plan and prioritize projects according to local needs, strengthening their administrative capacity, unifying requirements into a single set of rules, increasing flexibility in program rules, and transferring more responsibility to beneficiaries. To this end, we maintain an open dialogue with the European Commission and other institutions involved in regional development.

4. Innovation and Competitiveness in European Regions

How do you believe stimulating innovation and increasing competitiveness will contribute to sustainable development in European regions?

Innovation and competitiveness are the bridges to success! If we fail to create added value, jobs, new and competitive products/services, we cannot ensure the sustainable development of regions. We remain convinced that at the end of every road, there must be a company, and not just any company, but one that can scale its business.

5. The Future of ROREG’s Collaboration with the European Commission

How do you intend to practically implement the proposals discussed during the meeting, considering the current context of Romania’s regions?

We are part of a complex system, not necessarily two separate entities: ROREG and the European Commission. What is important is that we continuously bring to the attention of the European Commission the experience and expertise from the grassroots level, provide practical solutions, understand the vision, and help build it, of course, together with the Ministries and other national institutions, in a coordinated and well-structured effort to continue the development of regions, and a pragmatic response to the great challenges of the present.

What steps do you consider necessary for strengthening the partnership between ROREG and the European Commission in the areas of cohesion and reforms in the future?

We are, and will continue to be, in permanent dialogue with the European Commission at various levels, together with the other institutions in the country.