site.bta EC: Audit Report on Operational Programme for Education Has not Been Finalized, No Funding Has Been Suspended

EC: Audit Report on Operational Programme for Education Has not Been Finalized, No Funding Has Been Suspended

Brussels, February 14 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - Amid a heated controversy in Bulgaria over reports of suspended EU funding for education and science, the European Commission confirmed that it has performed an audit of the said programme but the audit report has not been finalized yet and no funding has been suspended.

A Commission spokesperson said that discussions are taking place with the Bulgarian authorities concerning the EU-supported operational programmes (OPs), including OP Education and Science for Smart Growth.

"There was an audit mission which took place and the draft audit report will now be discussed [for the education OP]. There are provisional findings, conclusions and recommendations of the commission auditors. These may be modified based on observations and further information received from the national authorities. The audit report has not been finalized. It is to be discussed with the Bulgarian authorities," said the spokesperson.

Asked whether it means that no funding has been suspended as yet, he gave an affirmative answer.

At a special news briefing held February 13, Education Minister Nikolai Denkov sid that the European Commission auditors have identified problems with eight projects within OP Science and Education. The projects are of a total value of 180 million leva.

A financial correction is expected to be imposed for the flawed project meaning that the EU funding will be reduced at the expense of higher co-financing.

The main problem pointed out by the Commission is related to the lack of a clear distinction between the programme's managing authority, the beneficiaries and the control authority.

The Education Ministry has prepared a plan of measures to remedy the flaws.