But it was understood the contingency fund was meant to cover cost overruns, essential in a project with a fixed timetable, not lack of private money.

BBC: Crunch continues to hit 2012 fund

MEPs and the EU governments, which are collectively called the Council, have not yet agreed on a contingency fund to deal with emergencies, nor on financing of the Iter nuclear fusion project.

BBC: Euro MPs adopt amended EU budget for 2011