EC approves Czech plan to draw funds in 2007-2013 period

The European Commission has formally accepted a Czech national plan to draw on EU funds in the period 2007 to 2013. Friday's agreement brings to an end months of negotiations. However, the actual drawing of EU money requires European Commission approval of 24 individual Czech programmes focused on various sectors; that process should begin at the end of September and come to a conclusion next year.

Speaking in Brussels on Friday, the Czech minister for regional development, Jiri Cunek, said the country could already be making use of the EU funding, if it had not been for delays caused by the previous government and the stalemate which followed elections last June.

Author: Ian Willoughby