Raši calls for the unblocking of 200 million euros from EU funds to municipalities, seeing it as the only solution

Bratislava – The only possible solution in the case of blocking EU funds for municipalities is to unblock the amount of 200 million euros. Such a blockage threatens development in the regions and at the same time, Slovakia violates the conditions of the agreement with the European Union (EU). This was stated on Thursday after a meeting with representatives of municipalities by the Chairman of the National Council (NR) of Slovakia, Richard Raši (Hlas-SD), TASR reports.

“If we want to have EU funds for the regions even after 2027, we cannot abolish this basic assumption that regions decide about the money. That is why there is a Government Council for Regional Development and EU Cohesion Policy, where all changes that are to be made must be consulted in advance. If this had happened, a proposal that takes money from the regions without them even knowing about it would not have reached the government. The regions are ready to draw European funds,” emphasized the Chairman of the NR SR.

The financial resources that belong to the regions and are decided by the regions themselves were, according to him, one of the basic conditions for us to receive new EU funds for the years 2021 to 2027.

These funds are unique in that they are decided by counties, cities, and municipalities, and in that these entities take full responsibility, Raši added.

“This bad attempt to block money for the regions must be removed as soon as possible and allow municipalities to implement all the projects they have prepared with European funds as they knew about them,” concluded Raši.

The Chairman of the Association of Towns and Villages of Slovakia (ZMOS), Jozef Božik, appreciated the meeting with the Chairman of Parliament and informed that on Thursday there was also a meeting on this topic with MEP Ľubica Karvašová (PS). (July 3)

“This bad attempt to block money for the regions must be removed as soon as possible and allow municipalities to implement all the projects they have prepared with European funds.” Richard Raši