International

SP Member of Parliament and European affairs spokesman Harry van Bommel has asked Secretary of State Atzo Nicolaï for clarification regarding the spending of EU subsidies in Russia, arguing that the Netherlands must put the European Commission under pressure to take steps to improve the effectiveness of subsidised projects. Mr Van Bommel's request was prompted by the damning judgement of the European Court of Auditors in relation to these subsidies.

Investigations showed that the spending of European subsidies within the Russian Federation in the framework of the TACIS programme was largely ineffective. Money turns out to have been spent on laboratory equipment for a recipient who had no laboratory or anywhere to put one, and on gym equipment for children.

Yet as Harry van Bommel points out, “The programme is supposed to be aimed at strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Russia. Providing gym equipment might strengthen Russian children, but it's hard to see what it does for democracy or the rule of law."