World Bank clarifications regarding statements made during “Sinteza Zilei” program on Antena3 TV station, on December 15, 2016 and similar statements highlighted in other media outlets
The World Bank Office in Romania would like to make the following clarifications concerning statements made during the “Sinteza Zilei” program on Antena3 TV station, on December 15, 2016, and similar statements highlighted in other media outlets:
- The World Bank and the Government of Romania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the provision of Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) to support Romanian public institutions. The MoU responds to requests from successive Romanian Cabinets for cutting-edge knowledge and policy advice in supporting government priorities in the following areas: policy reforms to support Romania’s convergence with the rest of the EU, reducing poverty and social exclusion, including for the Roma, advancing shared prosperity, strengthening administrative capacity and absorption of EU funds. It covers the period 2016-23, to align itself to the same period of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), as EU funds is the principle, though not the only source for funding such technical assistance, similarly to EIB/EBRD and the experience in other EU member states;
- The MoU provides a strategic framework for partnership and cooperation and does not engage any financial resources on the side of the Romanian Government. The analytical and advisory services provided by the Bank are on demand basis and as requested by Government institutions, depending on evolving needs and requirements;
- The MoU was discussed and negotiated from July 2014–December 2015 with two successive Romanian Cabinets. The MoU is fully owned by Romanian authorities and supports an open, European and forward-looking agenda that is central to Romania’s economic and social transformation and faster convergence with other EU member states. The MoU was signed during a public ceremony on January 11, 2016;
- After the signature, the MoU was included in a Government decision - HG nr.167/16.03.2016. The Government decision regarding the approval of the MoU and the full text of the MoU are public documents and are not “secret” as erroneously highlighted during the “Sinteza Zilei” program. The full text of the MoU is available at the following link: http://legeaz.net/monitorul-oficial-204-2016/hg-167-2016
The World Bank remains a committed partner in supporting Romania’s poverty reduction efforts and advancing a sustainable economic growth agenda.