The European Commission has opened an investigation into allegations of misuse of EU’s Erasmus+ funds by the National Agency for European Educational Programmes in North Macedonia.
European Commission spokeswoman Susanne Conze told MIA the EU’s governing body has been informed about the case.
All allegations of misuse, she stated, are being looked into and any irregular spending involving EU funds will be identified and paid back.
At the moment, the Commission isn’t providing any in-depth information as the probe is ongoing. In case it is determined that funds have been misused, the case will be forwarded to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).
If only irregularities in spending, such as procedural mistakes, are detected, then the country will have to pay back the funds to the EU, MIA reports. The country serves as a guarantor in the applications for Erasmus+ funds and it is ordered to pay back the whole amount if irregularities or fraud is identified.
Also, Brussels is conducting regular financial audits and an annual monitoring of how funds are spent.
