Minister Adrian-Ioan Veștea attended the General Assembly of the Association of Romanian Communes (ACoR), during which a series of requests and issues faced by local public authorities in implementing existing legislation and carrying out projects were discussed.

On this occasion, the Minister of Development reviewed the legislative measures promoted by MDLPA (Ministry of Development, Public Administration, and European Funds) to systematize and improve the current legislation, reduce bureaucracy, and bring administration closer to citizens. The focus was on improving the efficiency of public services and increasing the implementation of investments at the local level.

"The Ministry of Development is open to dialogue with all associative structures of local public administration authorities. We believe that these meetings are important for optimal cooperation and exchange of ideas to ensure the proper functioning of public administration in Romania," mentioned Minister Veștea.

Furthermore, opportunities for financing local development projects were presented through programs coordinated by the Ministry of Development, contributing to the modernization of rural areas in Romania. These programs include the National Local Development Program (PNDL), the National Investment Program "Anghel Saligny," the National Program for Public or Social Interest Constructions (PNCIPS), and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

"Last year, through the National Investment Program 'Anghel Saligny,' 4,787 objectives were approved for financing, totaling 64,793,924,770 lei. Among them, 3,820 projects, with a total value of 38.5 billion lei, have local authorities as beneficiaries in rural areas.

Out of these, 1,501 objectives are in the areas of water supply and sewerage, and the others are related to roads and bridges. Until June 23, 2023, 1,166 objectives have been contracted with beneficiaries in communes, with a total value of 11.4 billion lei, representing approximately 30% of the total allocation," stated the Minister.

Moreover, through PNRR, 3,927 financing contracts have been signed with beneficiaries in rural areas, totaling over one billion euros, to provide the necessary framework for the sustainable development of localities in Romania.

Lastly, through PNDL, 9,543 objectives, totaling 33.5 billion lei, have beneficiaries in rural areas, and through PNCIPS, out of the over 1,300 contracts in progress, nearly 800 investments are in rural areas, with a total value of over 6.15 billion lei.

"Associative structures are already a traditional partner of MDLPA, and we will continue the dialogue and consultations in essential areas because only through collaboration and by capitalizing on the experience of local leaders, we can find the best formulas to streamline activities for the proper functioning of local authorities," concluded Minister Adrian-Ioan Veștea.