Romania to attract €1.5 billion in net EU funds this year

So far, some €2 million entered , of the total €2.8 billion destined to the country in 2008. 's contribution to the EU budget will amount to €1.3 billion.

"By August 15, the ministry received applications for some 3,200 financing projects, of which only 205 were approved by the European Commission," Teodorovici said. Most projects were registered in the small and medium enterprise sector. However, the highest value was registered for environment projects, some €770 million, he added.

In the transportation sector, three major projects are planned or under development - Cernavoda-Constanta highway, in south-eastern , a ring for the city of Constanta and Lugoj-Arad highway, in north-western . The projects are partly financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the government plans to cover the remainder necessary funds from EU money, instead of funds from the state budget.