The chief of the European Union Mission to Croatia, Paul Vandoren, said in Varazdin on Tuesday there was a lot of money from European funds at Croatia's disposal, but that Croatia must prepare the infrastructure and the projects to use it.

My message to the authorities is clear. Before using the funds, it is necessary to have an infrastructure and human resources that can prepare and carry out projects, Vandoren said after talks with Varazdin county mayor Predrag Stromar.

This is a big challenge for all levels of government, but it can be done if they cooperate. A big job is ahead of us, Vandoren said.

Vandoren said he would continue touring Croatian regions to find out what was being done and relay information about Croatia's EU accession process.

Speaking of the use of European funds, Stromar said the problem was not at lower levels, but in the government and the ministries.

"Vandoren's task is to inform (Prime Minister Jadranka) Kosor and (Finance) Minister (Ivan) Suker that something must be done at once so that the funds can be used," Stromar said, adding the biggest problem was with the use of SAPARD and IPARD funds.