Warsaw region is almost too rich to claim EU funds

The economy of the Mazowsze region is developing at such a pace that the voivodeship might lose its right to claim EU structural aid in three years. It is already richer than German Mecklenburg, Turing or Saxony, Spanish Andalusia, as well as most of the regions in Portugal and Greece. According to Eurostat data, the region achieved 72% of the EU average for regions in 2003. It is highly likely that the figure will stand at 74% and 76% in 2004 and 2005 respectively. However, thanks to the methodology Eurosat employs, the region is set to benefit from EU structural funds until 2013. The EU will take decisions concerning which regions would get the funds, by spring 2006 at latest. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B1) M.M.