Local Governments Urge Government Not to Freeze EU Funds, Projects at Risk

Bratislava, 11 July (TASR) - Municipalities are ready to draw EU funds, the vice-chairmen of Banska Bystrica, Trnava and Zilina self-governing regions have stated, calling on the government not to take them away in response to the proposed freeze of €200 million that was discussed by the parliamentary committee for public administration and regional development. "Regional self-governments are ready to draw EU funds. We currently have 142 projects approved at the Partnership Council, which make up nearly 80 percent of our allocation assigned to Banska Bystrica self-governing region," said Banska Bystrica self-governing region vice-chairman Jan Beljak. Trnava region vice-chairman Rastislav Mraz added that the situation in the municipalities is now critical, as many of them have been left with just enough finances to keep the lights and heating on. Any investment that's planned in a municipality is almost always linked to European funds. That's why, according to him, it's sad that a number of projects that Trnava Region has already prepared and invested funds in won't be implemented due to the freezing of EU funds. According to Peter Weber from Zilina self-governing region, if the government doesn't return the frozen funds to the municipalities, the projects in his region, where 108 project plans amounting to €60 million have been approved, will also be at risk. lin/df