THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY - A VITAL INSTRUMENT SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ROMANIA AND THROUGHOUT THE EUROPEAN UNION

Looking closely at a statement issued by Marrku Markkula - former President of the European Committee of Regions 2015-2017 - according to which 'Only through investments can the EU prove it is changing citizens' lives', we come to realize the effectiveness and the need to continue the process of financing projects implemented by local administrations, as well as those implemented by the national government using European funds. Simultaneously, the private sector is by far a category of privileged beneficiaries, since investments in road infrastructure, railway infrastructure, medical and educational infrastructure, not to mention broadband Internet connection, represent an essential contribution to supporting SMEs activity. The Regional Operational Program - ROP, as the instrument for implementing the regional development policy - fosters increased effectiveness of regional investments by attracting mutual interests, regardless they come from rural-urban level, urban-rural or cross-county. In spite of its indisputable importance, the visibility of European investments using ROP, remains an issue which has still not been efficiently addressed up to present. More specifically, it is important that the European citizen, the final beneficiary, becomes aware that without the European financial instruments, their lives would not have improved to this extent.