EC accepts bulk of Poland's regional aid programs

Poland can use about EUR 12 billion by 2006, but the money envisaged for 2004 must be spent by the end of 2006. "If by mid-2005 the government cannot show that it can make efficient use of granted aid, the leaders of the "15" countries will reject the proposals of the Commission to increase the funds for Poland in the next budget," added Leygues. At first, Poland will use a fund for human resources worth EUR1.47 billion, which will be followed by funds to help improve the competitiveness of companies, a fund estimated at EUR 1.25 billion. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2)