The state of implementation, limitations and needs of the beneficiaries of the Romania - Ukraine Programme were presented to the European Commission in Brussels by the representatives of the Joint Technical Secretariat and the Joint Technical Secretariat Authority Management.

„We must act in full solidarity”. Slawomir Tokarski, Director EU REGIO Interreg Representatives of the Managing Bodies of the Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) programmes (ENI CBC) running partnerships with Ukraine met on 6 April in Brussels in a hybrid format with experts from the European Commission, DG REGIO, DG NEAR and TESIM. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the common response to the needs of cooperation programmes caused by the unprecedented situation in Ukraine. In line with the European Union's solidarity following the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, the meeting brought together, for consultation, experts from all programmes and countries cooperating with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, including Romania. Ingrid Bucșa, Head of Common Operational Programmes Departmente BRCT Suceava, attended the meeting presenting the status and needs of the beneficiaries of the Romania-Ukraine Programme, together with the Managing Authority - MDLPA. The participants explored ways to support the implementation of current cooperation programmes and the resumption of ongoing projects, together with the simplification of procedures and possible support measures for the two partner states, Romania and the Republic of Moldova. As was to be expected, the military aggression has had a negative impact on the implementation of the Romania - Ukraine partnership projects. The purpose of the meeting was to present the instruments prepared by the European Union related to this conflict situation, as well as to discuss the major difficulties and risks currently faced by cooperation programmes and project beneficiaries, in particular the problems caused by legislative limitations in Ukraine regarding project payments or the devaluation of national currencies and significant price increases, in addition to those related to the continuity of operations in terms of staff and logistical resources. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the European Commission's efforts have been two-pronged: on the one hand, sanctions against Russia and Belarus as aggressor states, including the suspension of funding agreements with the two states and the suspension of payments in programmes in which they are involved, and on the other hand, substantial packages of actions to support refugees and strengthen cooperation with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, including in the framework of cross-border cooperation programmes. (DG REGIO - Mr Slawomir Tokarski and Mr Jean-Pierre Halkin). Discussions focused on the possibility of continuing project activities in Romania, with the aim of minimising the impact of the stalemate faced by Ukrainian beneficiaries while at the same time addressing the challenges of migration caused by the conflict and protecting EU financial interests. To support projects in these difficult times and to facilitate their implementation and modifications, the MA and JTS have proposed several simplifications in project procedures. Moreover, important changes have also been proposed to allow projects to transform some project activities or even initiate additional activities and, more importantly, to utilise savings. A more flexible approach of the programme was also recommended by the European Commission in order to adapt to the new implementation circumstances, starting from the identification of major problems created by the current context and the implementation of appropriate solutions to address them. The occasion of the meeting was also used to discuss the 2021-2027 programming process, and the European Commission reaffirmed that it will facilitate the rapid submission and adoption of the Interreg NEXT 2021-2027 Romania-Ukraine programme, in order to further strengthen the solidarity and support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The European Commission and the five cross-border cooperation programmes (Romania - Ukraine, Romania - Republic of Moldova, Poland - Belarus - Ukraine, Black Sea Basin, Hungary - Slovakia - Romania - Ukraine and the Danube Interreg Transnational Programme) are working to increase assistance to Ukraine, finding common solutions and standing together in the face of future challenges. As a long-standing partner of cross-border cooperation with Ukraine and of beneficiaries running projects with institutions and organisations from Suceava, Tulcea, Botoșani, Baia Mare and Satu-Mare the Romania-Ukraine Programme is working to find the best solutions for each project separately so that European funding can help the border communities.