The MoF denies that currently EU funds acquisition differs from planned goals
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) denies that currently progress of the European Union (EU) funds acquisition differs from planned goals
The MoF indicates that the liabilities set in the Memorandum of Understanding with the European Commission (EC) for 2011 regarding the acquisition of EU funds have been executed by 98%. According to the latest data Latvia is the sixth among new EU Member States in terms of repayments from the EC to the national budget.
The information published by the mass media that Latvia has received a letter from the EC criticizing EU funds acquisition in Latvia is a working document where the EC sets out results of mutual negotiations between representatives of Latvia and EC on December 8, 2011. The letter does not provide for any sanctions for Latvia, but includes an EC’s assessment of the implementation of operational programmes “Entrepreneurship and Innovations” and “Infrastructure and Services”.
Data that the EC refers to in the letter on the implementation of EU funds operational programmes in Latvia are incorrect. In the letter it is also stated that the data available to the EC could be incomplete.
Latvia agrees with a part of EC’s indications, for example, it agrees that progress in individual activities (development of science infrastructure, innovations in business etc.) is slow, however Latvia carries out a set of measures to increase innovation capacity – through support to science infrastructure (pre-condition to create innovations), research, development of new products and their implementation in production. The Ministry of Finance also agrees with the EC’s opinion that frequent amending of EU funds operational programmes is not desirable. At the same time it should be mentioned that these amendments allowed Latvia adapting to consequences of the crisis flexibly enough re-distributing financing to employment promotion and other fields facilitating national economy.
Referring to the indication of the EC regarding the implementation of large-scale projects within the operational programme “Infrastructure and Services” we can agree that there is a problem with timely launching and further implementation of projects (modernization of the Riga suburbs railway passenger transportation system and development of infrastructure in Krievu sala). However despite the decision that will be made regarding the procurement of Pasazieru vilciens, it will be still possible to use EU funding effectively.
Information prepared by:
Agnese Belkevica
Deputy Head of the Communication Division
Phone 67083938
Agnese.Belkevica@fm.gov.lv
