site.btaEuropean Commission Has Established Problems with Eight Science and Education Projects

European Commission Has Established Problems with Eight Science and Education Projects

Sofia, February 13 (BTA) - An audit of the European Commission has established problems with eight projects within Operational Programme Science and Education for Smart Growth. The projects are of a total value of 180 million leva. A financial correction is expected to be imposed in relation with them, Deputy Education and Science Minister Vanya Stoineva told a news conference at the Ministry on Monday. She presented a plan for remedying the problems, identified by the Commission in a warning letter, received last week.

The main problem, pointed out by the Commission, is related to the absence of clear differentiation of the functions of the units, extending the funds within the programme, the beneficiary units and the unit in charge of exercising control over the performance. Education Minister Nikolai Denkov added that other problems involve unclear criteria in the formation of project management teams at the Ministry and weaknesses in the project evaluation and control. The main problem is that in the period from July 5 to October 24, 2016 the then minister of education and science Meglena Kuneva also performed the functions of Managing Authority of the OP, Denkov added.

All versions will be considered and the issue will be discussed with the Commission to find an acceptable solution.

It transpired at the news conference that, if the problems are eliminated in a timely manner, the future payments within the OP will not be affected.