Brussels, 01/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - Over €1.5 million of structural funds for Poland have been frozen at the European Commission this week. This is a decision which is not routine, in the view of European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn, but which is more exceptional as Poland is normally the good boy with regard to cohesion policy. On Friday 1 February, Hahn met two Polish ministers about this in order to bring down the temperature. The situation has, indeed, created a real controversy in Warsaw a week away from an agreement on the EU budget - an agreement where Poland is calling for the renewal of a comfortable provision for the structural funds.
It is funds intended for roadwork that have been blocked - around €1.5 million. The reason for this decision from the Commission is a cartel scandal in the calls for tender for road sites financed by European funds - a scandal that was uncovered by the Polish government, which is now is investigating the issue. If the irregularities are proved, the Polish authorities will have to adjust downwards their demand for payments to the Commission according the undue expenditure. However, Hahn - during his meeting with the Polish ministers for transport and regional policy, Slawomir Nowak and Elzbieta Beinkowska, wanted to appear reassuring. The Polish problems are not isolated - 200 cases of suspension have already been handled by the Commission over the last two years, Hahn apparently said in order to put the affair into proportion - an affair that is causing a good deal of commotion in Poland. The issue will apparently be dealt with as a priority by the Commission. Once the necessary clarification has been delivered to the Commission, Hahn is of the opinion that the suspension of funds could be lifted. The fact that it was the Polish government that alerted the Commission will play in its favour. (MD/transl.fl)