Development gaps between NUTS2 regions in Romania: the convergence of their development with that of some euro area regions

The paper deals with the gaps in the economic development of NUTS2 regions in Romania, explained mostly by the "historical heritage" in their evolution. All regions made significant progress in their economic and social development over the 2000-2016 period, which allowed them to reduce the gaps separating them from NUTS2 regions selected from euro area countries, a reality confirmed by the results of a econometric modeling.