KDH: PM Fico Should Show Willingness to Address Potential Suspension of EU Funds

Bratislava, 11 February (TASR) - The European Commission clearly sees that corruption and tax fraud aren't being properly investigated in Slovakia, raising a real risk that EU funds for the country could be suspended, opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) representatives declared on Wednesday. At a press conference in Parliament, they called on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to quickly show Brussels that he's willing to address the situation. "The European Commission is very clear that we have a serious problem with tax crime and money-laundering. This is confirmed by problems within the police," said KDH chair Milan Majersky. He added that KDH doesn't want Slovakia to lose EU funds, but the prime minister is doing everything he can to make that happen. "He's raising taxes on decent people, and families will pay the price for the impunity of certain politicians from the governing coalition. Now there's a real threat that we'll also lose EU funds, financial resources that we can invest in economic growth and in the development of our country," he said. KDH vice-chair Viliam Karas said that the prime minister is aware of signals about the possible suspension of EU funds and the problems that would cause for the Slovak economy. Instead of managing ministers and giving them clear instructions, he's allegedly trying to discreetly alter the content of the rule of law report. "We've clearly stated that the police are failing not only in investigating corruption but also sophisticated crime. The Criminal Office of Financial Administration is failing to effectively uncover customs and VAT evasion. The investigative capacities of both the police and Financial Administration are being systematically undermined," said Karas. According to KDH, the leadership of the police and the Criminal Office of Financial Administration should have accepted personal responsibility, but this hasn't happened, and the responsible ministers are unable to resolve the situation. "Prime Minister, as this concerns the national interests of Slovakia, we recommend — and this is how we would proceed in your place — that as a signal of goodwill and of your intention to resolve the situation, you should immediately dismiss the leadership of the police force as well as the Criminal Office of Financial Administration," said Karas, adding that it would also be appropriate to entrust the Interior Ministry to another minister. "Simply send a signal to the European Union and the European Commission that Slovakia is serious about protecting European funds and taxpayers' money and that we're ready to take all steps necessary to give Brussels no pretext to suspend the flow of European funds to Slovakia," stated Karas. mf/df