As stated in the preamble of the founding Treaty of the European Economic Community (EEC) of 1957, the essential goal of European integration, is to improve the living and employment situation (usually measured in terms of per-capita GDP and unemployment rate) of EU citizens. From an economic...

In this paper we propose an analysis of policy strategies of operative programmes co-funded by Structural Funds in the current period in the regions eligible for the future Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, adopting a forward-looking perspective. We analyse interventions...

The integration of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries into theEuropean Union is supposed to bring them significant benefits. Along with the effects comingfrom changes in tariffs, accession to the EU internal market and free labor movement onGDP, consumption and terms of trade, the...

In order to increase the degree of absorption of the post adherence funds it isrecomanded to use some general methods that must be implemented at the level of thedecisional structure in our country.Among these one must mention: the clear definition of the list of eligible expenditures and...

Since January 1st, 2007, Romania has entered a new era of progress where thefocus is on the economic convergence with the other European Union member states. TheNational Plan for Development 2007-2013 represents the strategic and financial multi-yearlyplanning document that directs the...

Romania’s integration in European Union brought both advantages and disadvantages for local entrepreneurs. The current paper presents the results of a comprehensive study regarding several thousand Romanian SMEs on an important issue: absorption of structural funds

The purpose of the paper is to analyse some results of cost-benefit analysis in a sample of ISPA (Structural Instrument for pre-accession countries) projects. The focus is particularly on the variability of financial and economic rates of return and how to integrate this information in the EU...

Drawing on the experience of Structural Funds, the paper argues that cohesion may be beneficial to growth under certain conditions. It develops some arguments based on recent economic theory and empirical evidence on the trade off between cohesion and growth and draws some lessons for future policy.

In the context of scarce EU budgetary resources and strained public finances, cost-benefit analysis (CBA) plays a crucial role in assisting policymakers’ public investment decisions. The purpose of this paper is to draw lessons from the CBA experience under the Structural and Cohesion Funds to...

EU Accession has had the most impact on the agricultural sector and rural dwellers’ living conditions. Currently the first phase of EU Structural Funds benefits is coming to an end. The objective of this study is to provide an international overview on how to make use of rural development...