Problems with EU money drawing solvable -Czech Education Minister

Andor warned Dobes at their meeting today that the Czech Republic may lose the money from EU funds and that dozens of millions of euros are at stake.

Andor mainly criticised the way how the EU funds are used with respect for the goals set and said this is a matter of principle.

Andor said serious mistakes were found out in the projects concerned.

Dobes and Andor spoke specifically about the Education for Competitiveness Operational Programme.

The European Commission has already halted the payment of 1.2 billion crowns within the programme over shortcomings.

The Czech Republic could get up to 53 billion crowns from the programme. However, there is the threat that the commission could stop the whole programme over the mistakes.

Dobes has been criticised by both the opposition and a part of his government colleagues over the money drawing and he promised to remedy the situation.

He said his ministry will take effective measures to avert the halting of the money flow.

"We did not talk about dozens, hundreds (of millions of euros) and other figures, we spoke in general terms about that we both consider the situation serious," Dobes said after his meeting with Andor that he said was correct and matter-of-fact.

"We agreed that it is possible to solve it," Dobes told journalists.

Andor said the Czech government must take radical steps aimed to solve the problems, but that there exists a solution.

The commission offered the Czech Republic cooperation in averting losses of money from the funds.

Andor will again discuss the situation with Czech representatives in Prague in March.

($1=18.806 crowns)

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz