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Transport Ministry: Public Procurement Critised by EC Is in Order
Friday 25 June 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, June 25 (TASR) - The Transport, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry said on Friday that it rejects criticism levelled by the European Commission, which plans to take Slovakia to the Court of Justice over a public procurement process regarding legal counselling provided to the ministry with respect to highway construction.
The Transport Ministry allegedly violated EU rules in 2007, when it repealed a contract with one company providing legal advice and signed a new one a few weeks later with a different company while failing to comply with the EU's legal conditions for public procurements.
"The ministry proceeded with the change of advisory company via a public procurement process in full accordance with valid legislation - the Public Procurements Act, which also incorporates European legislation," ministry spokesman Stanislav Jurikovic told TASR, adding that the ministry sees no reason for a change.
According to the European Commission, Slovakia violated the rules by not extending the tender on legal counselling to cover the entire EU. The Commission filed a complaint against Slovakia because it wants to implement measures "to secure fair access to public bids".
In October 2009, the Commission called on Slovakia to adjust its legislation in accordance with European legal regulations. As the European Commission has received no satisfactory reply to date, it made a decision to file a complaint.
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