After several postponements, the Budget Control Committee of the European Parliament finally discussed last week the report of the fact-finding mission to the Czech Republic about the EU finance spending. The MEPs discussed mostly the eventual conflict of interests of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Andrej Babiš. The committee concluded that the Czech Republic has not adequately assured the EP that Mr Babiš does not continue his business activities. As finance minister, moreover, he formally guarantees that EU funds are used efficiently and according to EU law in the Czech Republic. Czech MEPs, however, did not agree to personify the debate around Mr Babiš. According to Ms Dlabajová, MEP, the report focuses on EU funds spending problems in the period before Mr Babiš was part of the government. The report found that up to 20% of projects which received EU funding in the Czech Republic contain errors. However, the report admits, the situation is improving and the MEPs welcomed the cooperation efforts by the Czech officials. Similar control missions may be sent in the future.

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