Poland blocks research institute placement

BRUSSELS, May 30 (UPI) -- Poland has blocked a decision on the location of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

Poland vetoed a proposal to place the European Union's flagship innovation and education project in Budapest, Hungary, the EU Observer reported Friday.

The EIT is aimed at bridging the innovation gap between the European Union and such technology rivals as the United States and Japan.

In addition to Budapest, also considered possible homes for the center are the German city of Jena, the Polish city of Wroclaw, Spain's Sant Cugat del Valles.

The Slovak capital Bratislava has joined forces with Austria's Vienna offering a cross-border bid.

EU education ministers are expected to make a decision in June.

The Slovene EU presidency has said two criteria should be respected in determining placement of the center: It should be in a "new" member state and not already have an EU agency.

Based on that criteria Budapest seems the frontrunner, the newspaper said.

Even so, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Wroclaw still stands a strong chance of being chosen, Poland Radio reported.