BUCHAREST (Romania), November 28 (SeeNews) – The European Commission said on Tuesday it is providing a total of 252 million euro ($301 million) to help Romania improve its road and water infrastructure.
Some 76 million euro from the European Regional Development Fund will be invested in the works to be carried out on national road E79, which crosses the country, the European Commission said in a press release.
The E79 road connects Romania with Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary.
The works will be carried out at sections of the road linking the cities of Deva, in the historical region of Transylvania in central Romania, and Oradea, at the border with Hungary.
"The road passes through the counties of Hunedoara, Arad and Bihor, before connecting with Bors town and will improve the access to the municipalities of Deva and Oradea, which will generate greater economic development and will stimulate employment and regional development in these counties," Corina Cretu, European Commissioner for regional policy, said.
Some 176 million euro from the Cohesion Fund will be invested in water management and distribution infrastructure in many urban areas in the Vrancea county, in eastern Romania.
The European-funded project will allow 66,460 inhabitants in the region to have access to quality drinking water, while some 57,440 inhabitants will benefit from a modern wastewater collection and treatment system.
"Access to quality drinking water should not be a luxury, yet this was the situation for many Romanian residents before Cohesion Policy intervened," Cretu said.
At the beginning of November, the EU provided Romania with 17 million euro to improve access to drinking water in the Constanta, Ialomita, Gorj, Ilfov and Suceava counties.
In September, the Commission provided 284 million euro to Romania to finance projects for modernisation of water infrastructure in 12 counties.