Has Poland weakened its position for EU funds after 2006?

Rzeczpospolita has learned that diplomatic sources claim the country is not ready to use the funds which were already granted, therefore it will be difficult to convince EU partners to transfer additional funds in the future. The discussion concerning the EU budget after 2006 has already begun and according to some sources, Poland will not be able to influence it, unless the country meets Union standards on time. Poland has the right to apply for funds from one of the pre-accession Phare 2001 programs until February 15. For the last two consecutive years through December 31, 2003, Poland had presented proposals for projects worth EUR 249 million, which is a bit more than half of the available funds. Between March 22-24 EU Commissioner for the Common Market, Frits Bolkestein, will visit Poland. He is to make the final decision concerning the nation's state of readiness to join the EU. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2) A.K.