Two EU commissioners debating subsidy problems in Prague

Two EU commissioners - László Andor, the EU commissioner responsible for employment and social affairs, and the Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn – are holding talks with top government officials in Prague. The main issue on the agenda is the country’s apparent inability to resolve its problems with subsidy control in drawing EU funds. The matter came to a head on Wednesday when the European Commission threatened to halt the payment of all EU subsidies unless the country’s government improved the control and audit of EU subsidy programmes by June of this year. The visiting EU commissioners are debating the issue with Prime Minister Petr Nečas, and the ministers of finance, local development, social affairs and education.