European Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Cretu yesterday downplayed concerns that bureaucratic delays in Malta might result in the loss of some EU funds.

“My appeal as a former journalist is that regional policy is beyond political parties… I am sure every government in place will do the best to improve absorption and have tangible results… You should be proud about Malta as it is doing so well,” she said.

Ms Cretu made these remarks in reply to a question from the Labour media at a joint news conference with Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech, in her first visit to Malta since her appointment last year.

You should be proud about Malta as it is doing so well

Earlier, Mr Grech had said that the Labour administration had raised the absorption rate of EU funds for the seven-year period between 2007 and 2013, from 30 per cent in March 2013 (under the Nationalist administration) to 81 per cent.

The EU’s budgetary rules state that this money has to be used within two years from the close of the budgetary period. This means Malta has until the end of December to make sure it implements all EU-funded projects for the period.

Mr Grech’s remarks prompted the Labour media at the news conference to ask him what measures were being taken to avoid losing EU funds.

In reply, he expressed confidence that Malta would be able to increase its current absorption beyond 90 per cent by the end of the year.

As for the current EU budget (2014-2020), he said the government was taking steps to reduce certain bottlenecks and accelerate the decision-making process.

Commissioner Cretu noted that even advanced countries like the Netherlands and Germany had problems absorbing EU funds at the beginning. But unlike other member states, Malta had not faced any particular struggles in this respect.

As a matter of fact Malta had not been included in an EU task force comprising eight countries that had experienced difficulties in absorbing funds, she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Grech an-nounced that an EU-funded, €26 million regeneration project for the Grand Harbour was in the pipeline.

He said further details would be divulged at the beginning of next year when the proposal was finalised as no decision had been yet taken on which localities would benefit from the fund.

The project aims to improve the quality of life and the cultural dimension of inner harbour areas and make them a more attractive proposition for business.