EC rubberstamps Polish digitalisation programme

Warsaw’s “Digital Poland” programme is to receive over 2 billion euro in funding over the next seven years as part of the deal.

The funds are to set to go towards the expansion of broadband networks in Poland, especially in rural areas, as well as the development of administration e-services.

The programme is the first of 21 which have been filed with the European Commission.
Poland is to receive around 80 billion euro in cohesion funds over the next budget period, with 45 billion euro from that figure set aside for large nationwide projects, with the rest going to the regions.

The announcement comes as the European Commission earlier admitted to delays in approving the Polish operational progarmmes, although Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Development has said that negotiations are almost complete.

Meanwhile, MEPs and representatives from EU member states are set to sit down for a further round of negotiations on the EU budget for 2015 in Brussels, Monday, after ealier talks ended in fiasco.

The move comes as the European Commission has filed a new, more modest budget, for next year, with expenditure amounting to 141.3 billion euro.

Apart from next year’s budget, talks are also to turn to the balancing of the 2014 budget, with the European Parliament demanding extra funds to cover for unpaid budget receipts.

However, some member states have expressed that they do not want to pay more in to the EU’s coffers, with the European Commission calling for compromise.

The new EU budget for next year must be approved by 17 December, otherwise an emergency budget will be put in force from the early months of 2015. (jb)

Source: IAR