Migal: Proposal to Block EU Funds for Local Authorities Came from Voice Member

Bratislava, 3 July (TASR) - The proposal to block €200 million in EU funds for local authorities was put forward by a member of the coalition Voice-SD party, said Investments, Regional Development and Informatisation Minister Samuel Migal (Independent) on Thursday in response to a press conference held by Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) and Interior Ministry State Secretary Michal Kalinak after a meeting with representatives of local authorities. "Mr Rasi and Mr Kalinak, the proposal that you criticised at your press conference is a proposal by your fellow Voice-SD party member Tomas Drucker. I agreed with his proposal on the basis of the results of the use of EU funds by local authorities, although I understand that it isn't only their fault, but also the fault of the previous management of the ministry," said Migal. The minister added that he's always appreciated cooperation with the Slovak Towns and Villages Association (ZMOS) as an apolitical and professionally proficient organisation. However, according to him, recent developments have shown that the association's chairman Jozef Bozik has traded this apolitical nature for his own political career in Voice-SD and has dragged ZMOS into a war waged by the Voice management against the party's former members. Following a meeting with representatives of local authorities on Thursday, Rasi stated that the only possible solution in the case of blocked EU funds for local authorities is to unblock an amount of €200 million. The House chair added that the block threatens development in the regions and also puts Slovakia in breach of the terms of the agreement with the EU. am/df