"The structural funds for 2008 should not be diminished because of the low absorption rate in 2007" is the official position of the Romanian Members of the European Parliament in the debate of the 2008 EU budget.

Brussels currently hosts debates organized by the European Parliament with the national Parliaments of the 27 ember states, regarding the 2008 European budget.

Romanian MEP Monica Iacob-Ridzi (PPE, Democrat Party) described on Friday in Brussels Romania's priorities for 2008. Iacob-Ridzi spoke against the intention expressed by the European Commission - to lower the level of structural funds in 2008, given the low absorption rate in the entire Union.

"It is the Commission's duty to support the member states, so that structural funds would easier to access by citizens. The level of these funds should not decrease, because the level in 2008 will most definitely surpass the one in 2007.

Even more, the absorption rate was low this year because of the low speed in gaining approval for operational programs from the European Commission", argued Monica Iacob-Ridzi, according to a press release.