Skopje, 29 March 2024 (MIA) – The Ambassador of the European Union to North Macedonia, David Geer, said Friday the Erasmus+ funds granted by the EU to the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility won’t be reduced, and the program will continue to be implemented after the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) requested the reimbursement of EUR 2.2 million from North Macedonia which were misused through the Erasmus+ program.

In answer to a journalist’s question about the issue, Geer said he expects the country to continue to meet the recommendations issued by OLAF.

“We expect the National Agency for Erasmus+ here in the Republic of North Macedonia to continue to deliver and fulfill all recommendations issued by OLAF. Of course, we continue to have faith in the work of the Agency, which means we remain convinced that the amount of funds for Erasmus+ won’t be reduced. On the contrary, we are happy to share that Erasmus+ will continue to be implemented and young people, pupils, students and universities in the country will benefit from it,” Geer said.

At a press conference Thursday, the head of the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility, Marko Gjorgievski, revealed that the Agency was notified of irregularities related to the project dossiers of 22 users of the Erasmus+ grant financed by the European Commission. 

On November 30, 2023, the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture notified the National Agency of the request for reimbursement of EUR 2.276.212 awarded in grants in the period between 2016 and 2018. In March, the Agency was notified that the decision is final.

Photo: MIA