def readProjectProperties(self, pathToXMLFile):
        xmReader = ProjectDetailsViewUtils()

        projectSettings = None
        try:
            projectSettings = xmReader.getProjectSubSettings(pathToXMLFile)
        except Exception as e:
            errorText = "An error occured while loading the project configuration file!\nDetails: " + str(e.message)
            self.showMessageBox(errorText, 'critical')
            self.lgr.error('Loading the project configuration file: %s', errorText)
            return projectSettings

        return projectSettings