EU slammed over inefficient use of fundsNovember 6, 2012 - 21:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Auditors have said the European Union has failed to keep tight enough control over its own spending, BBC News reported. The European Court of Auditors said there were errors in allocating about 5bn euros (£4bn) from the 2011 budget. Critics said it showed the EU's wastefulness, at a time when it was arguing for a budget increase. Court President Vitor Caldeira said: "With Europe's public finances under severe pressure, there remains scope to spend EU money more efficiently." He added: "Member states must agree on better rules for how EU money is spent, and member states and the commission must enforce them properly." The court's report said most errors arose from "misapplication or misunderstanding" of the EU's complex rules, though there were some suspected cases of fraud. It also said the failures were often down to the national and local governments responsible for overseeing the distribution of funds, rather than just the European Commission. "A little more effort by member states to control projects properly and retrieve misused funds could go a long way, particularly in this time of economic difficulty," said the EU's Audit Commissioner Algirdas Semeta. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |