Progressive Slovakia in Orava Area Points to Slovakia's Regional Problems

Trstena, May 16 (TASR) - The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party drew attention to Slovakia's regional problems in Trstena (Zilina region) on Friday, with PS representatives pointing to issues that, according to them, are plaguing the inhabitants and entrepreneurs in the Orava area. PS head Michal Simecka focused mainly on obsolete infrastructure, people leaving the area to find work abroad and the high cost of living. In his opinion, the inhabitants are worried about the inability to draw EU funds in the area and that farmers are unable to obtain agricultural subsidies. "Slovakia is declining, people are fleeing Slovakia in droves. Economic growth in prices has slowly come to a halt, no investment is coming in. Meanwhile, our infrastructure is crumbling, hospitals are falling on our heads and we're also isolating ourselves geopolitically," said Simecka, questioning the capacity of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to lead the government. PS deputy chairman and member of the parliamentary committee on economic affairs Ivan Stefunko drew attention to the serious problems for farmers who, according to him, face three basic problems - they don't have access to land and they don't have access to funds and information. Slovak farmers are at a disadvantage when compared to countries such as the Czech Republic and Poland, he opined. am/df