Romanian defence minister rebuts false claims: 7 out of 9 SAFE highway lots awarded to domestic firms, not Ukrainian

Minister's rebuttal

On Saturday, 27 June, interim Defence and Transport Minister Radu Miruță posted a video on Facebook debunking what he described as a fake news narrative. The allegation was that all SAFE-funded highway contracts had been directed to Ukrainian companies. Miruță countered that from the nine motorway lots financed through the Security Action for Europe programme, seven were won by Romanian companies, one by an Italian firm and one by a Spanish firm.

Out of nine contracts, seven are won by Romanian companies. The eighth by an Italian firm, the ninth by a Spanish one. That is what ‘money sent to others’ means, seven out of nine, several billion euros, to Romanian companies.

Contract status and appeals

The nine lots form part of the transport infrastructure component of SAFE. By the end of May, six contracts had been signed. Three were held up by appeals at the National Council for Solving Complaints (CNSC). Miruță noted that two of those have since been resolved, while discussions continue on international agreements needed for cross-border connections to Ukraine and Moldova. He added that Ukrainian firms appear only as subcontractors on certain segments, not as prime contractors.

SAFE programme and Romania's allocation

Romania has secured the second-largest SAFE allocation in the European Union, at €16.68 billion, after Poland. The loans carry a maximum interest rate of 3%, with repayment spread over 45 years and a 10-year grace period, meaning the first repayments will begin in 2036. The transport ministry's share is €4.2 billion, from which the highway lots are funded.

SAFE is the first major programme that has proven it supports Romanian industry.

How the funds are distributed

Under a government decision published by the Finance Ministry, the €16.68 billion is allocated across several institutions. The Defence Ministry receives the largest portion (€9.70 billion), followed by the Transport Ministry (€4.20 billion) and the Interior Ministry (€2.10 billion). Smaller amounts go to the Romanian Intelligence Service (€501 million), the Protection and Guard Service (€68.2 million), the Special Telecommunications Service (€38.5 million), the National Penitentiary Administration (€33.2 million) and the Foreign Intelligence Service (€32.3 million). The investment plan includes 35 projects, roughly 75% of which are dedicated to military equipment, public order and civil defence, with the remaining 25% for other strategic uses.

Countering disinformation

Miruță's statement comes amid circulation of online rumours that the SAFE funds were being funnelled to Ukrainian firms rather than Romanian ones. By publishing the contract breakdown, the minister aimed to reassure the public that EU defence-related loans benefit domestic industry. His office previously stated, on 21 May, that the European Commission had finalised the SAFE agreement with Romania, enabling the first payment request to be submitted.