Rasi in China: Distribution of EU Funds in Slovakia Decided in Regions

Ningbo, 23 May (TASR) - At the end of his visit to China on Friday, Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) attended a Forum of Mayors of China and Central and Eastern European Countries, which was held as a side event at the ongoing fourth annual China EXPO in Ningbo, TASR was told by the Parliament Office's communications department on Friday. At the event, the House chair stressed the importance of cities and regions for further developing countries and international cooperation. "Cities and regions are the building blocks of any country. If we want stability, prosperity and strong international cooperation, we must listen to them and allow them to develop in their own way," he said. Rasi also stressed at the forum the importance of specific and practical solutions based on real experience and the needs of local authorities, stating that in Slovakia, cooperation with towns and regions has been set up on the principle of open and partnership discussion. "Equality works in relation to local authorities. We can't run a town from a green table. Solutions must come from the field, that is from those who will implement them," he emphasised. In his speech, he also pointed to Slovakia's achievements in regional policy. He mentioned the system under which the distribution of EU funds is decided exclusively by the regions themselves. "Slovakia has €2.4 billion available from EU funds, and their distribution is determined directly by local authorities, not by officials based in the capital," stated Rasi. am/df