site.btaIrregularities of Procedure Will Probably Delay OP Science and Education

Irregularities of Procedure Will Probably Delay OP Science and Education

Sofia, January 20 (BTA) - Substantial changes in the procedures for applying within the EU funds for science, performed unlawfully by the Ministry of Science and Education, will result in a delay of the absorption of funds with months. This transpired from a statement of Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) MP Stoyan Mirchev, who is a member of the National Assembly Committee. Mirchev announced in Parliament on Friday that due to this and other irregularities OP Science and Education for Smart Growth is on the verge of failure and the financing could be stopped.

The question is about 350 million leva within the operational programme, which are designed for the building of four centres of excellence and eight competence centres.

The deadline for proposals expires on Monday, January 23, but Deputy Prime Minister and EU Funds Minister Tomislav Donchev has requested a suspension or an extension of the procedure by Education Minister Meglena Kuneva.

Donchev's request was publicized by Mirchev. It was made on January 18 and has been prompted by reports of scientists of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Technical University of Sofia about irregularities, related to the procedures.

According to dnevnik.bg, a decision about an extension of the deadlines will be taken on Monday at the latest. As at January 18 there were no any submitted proposals within the procedure.

Asked by "Dnevnik" what the consequences of the extension or halting of the procedure will be, Donchev replied that the submission of projects will be delayed by one or two months, which means that the absorption of funds will also be postponed/ The centres should be ready by 2023.

Mirchev also said that the outgoing incumbents are concealing an audit of the European Commission, from which a negative report is expected soon. This will be a time bomb for the next government although Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Donchev and Kuneva take the blame, he added.