ANKARA - State Minister Ali Babacan said on Thursday that ''Decentralized System'' which was set up to administer the European Union (EU) funds was approved by the EU Commission on October 8, 2003.
Babacan and European Commission Ankara Representative Hansjorg Kretschmer held a joint news conference after EU Commission accredited Decentralized System which was set up to carry out administration of financial aid programs before Turkey's accession to EU.
Speaking at the news conference, Babacan said ways were opened for inflow of EU funds, more than 1 billion Euro, till the year 2006, and noted that, ''those funds are not loans, but donation as you know''.
Babacan said a Prime Ministry circular was prepared for the first arrangements, and that a decision was taken to gather the financial aid, that would be obtained from the EU, in a ''national fund''.
Babacan said two separate memorandums of understanding were signed to put decentralized system into practice and for the establishment of National Fund and Central Finance and Tender unit.
BABACAN: IT IS NOT URGENT TO USE U.S. LOAN AT THE MOMENT
Upon a question, Babacan said that Turkey was not obliged to use the loan immediately. ''As you know the financial situation of the treasury does not have any problems. We don't want to use the loan earlier than we plan. We will have technical studies on the issue, and decide on the issue later on,'' he said.
Babacan noted that one billion Euros of donation would be given to Turkey from EU funds within three years.
Upon a question, Babacan said that they overcame the difference of views on the Public Finance Administration and Control bill and they would submit to the parliament soon.
When asked who would supervise the usage of one billion Euros in the coming three years, Kretschemer said that ''Secretariat General for EU Affairs and EU Commission's Representative to Turkey will guide the bids regarding the funds.''
(ÖŞ-AY) 23.10.2003