EC delays its decision on unblocking ISPA funds for Bulgaria

SOFIA, Bulgaria – The European Commission (EC) has decided to delay its decision over releasing 143m euros in funds under the ISPA pre-accession programme until the end of May, local media reports said Sunday (April 5th).

Last summer, the EC blocked a number of pre-accession programmes, citing fraud and irregularities in the absorption of EU funding. Originally, the Commission was to decide on the ISPA money by the end of March.

The delay is mostly due to local developments. In particular, the EC is unhappy with the delay in implementing the law on conflicts of interest.