The efficient and effective use of pre-accession financial assistance plays a key role in a successful integration into European structures. European funds absorption must be addressed from the perspective of the efficiency which it produces. The moment of adhering into European Union is not the end of the integration process but another beginning in a new context. The closer to the average level of development of Member States, is the development status of a candidate country, the “shock” of accession is more reduce and the pace of harmonization with other coun- tries is much faster. The European integration process is dynamic and unlimited. The map of the Euro- pean Union presents itself as a puzzle of regions with different degrees of development and with various speeds of harmonization. This paper aims to analyze the situation Phare projects implemented by Romania in terms of number of contract value, the amount paid and the rate of absorption. It also provides, on a statistical analysis, an overview of the territorial distribution of as- sistance under the perspective of projects financed, identifying strengths overwhelming support of the European Union on economic and social modernization and develop- ment of Romania, but also the disadvantages of Romanian system in full and efficient use of Community assistance. In the light of EU enlargement, the Republic of Moldavia can learn from Roma- nian experience, especially from its mistakes in using the Community support.