The EU announced today that it had decided to lift its suspension of Malta's participation in the 'Youth in Action' and 'Lifelong Learning Programmes'.

Following a recent assessment, the Commission told timesofmalta.com that the critical remedial actions it had requested concerning accounting and controls "have been satisfactorily implemented by the Maltese authorities."

However, according to the EU executive, some deficiencies still remain   at the National Agency in Malta – the European Union Programmes Agency. These deficiencies include delays in handling activity reports from the university, schools and NGOs which can result in delayed grant payments. The Commission said that there are also continued problems relating to on-site financial checks of these beneficiaries.

"Further remedial actions need to be implemented to ensure sustainability of the progress made," the Commission said.

In view of this, the Commission will block advance payments to the National Agency until these deficiencies have been adequately addressed.

According to the Commission this will not affect grants to individuals because Malta still has unused funding from previous years. 

The Ministry of Education in a statement said that the EU decision means that: 

• Agreements can be signed between the Commission and the National Agency for the year 2011
• The National Agency (EUPA) is now allowed to award grants and sign grant agreements with the candidates who qualify for selection in 2011.

Dolores Cristina, Minister of Education,welcomed the Commission’s decision. "This decision proves that the necessary progress had been achieved in the structures involved in the management of these programmes," she said.

While it was regrettable that the lifting of the suspension has taken so long, Mrs Cristina  stated that she was confident the participation by Malta in such programmes will immediately return to the levels prior to suspension.