Premier Fico Holds Talk with EC Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms Fitto

Bratislava, 11 February (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) received Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto at the Government Office in Bratislava on Wednesday to discuss, in particular, support for the regions on the eastern border of the European Union in connection with the planned presentation of the Strategy for the Eastern Border Regions, which will include a financial instrument designed to support investment in these regions, TASR was told by the Government Office's press and information department. The prime minister stated that Kosice and Presov regions are directly affected by the situation in Ukraine and are among the least developed in Slovakia and the European Union as a whole and noted that they will play a key role in the future reconstruction of Ukraine, particularly in terms of logistics, infrastructure, economic cooperation, and energy. According to him, investments in these regions are therefore not only of regional importance, but also directly strengthen the Union's ability to support the stability and reconstruction of Ukraine. The premier also discussed the draft European Union budget for 2028-2034 with the European commissioner. "We're currently working on a vision and strategy for the development of Slovakia until 2040, which is being overseen by the Slovak Academy of Sciences. The vision will show us what our country needs to focus on, and we plan to finance several reform and investment measures proposed in this vision from the future European budget, which will also be earmarked for us," said Fico. Approval of the Multiannual Financial Framework, the so-called EU budget, is expected in February 2027. "My visit to Slovakia is part of a series of trips to all member states, as cohesion policy affects every region in Europe. I'm delighted that we can have an open discussion with national, regional, and local authorities on current cohesion policy, in particular the mid-term review of the current multiannual financial framework and the shaping of cohesion policy in the future. Our goal is clear: to translate European policies into specific benefits on the ground, improve the quality of life of the people, promote investment, and foster development opportunities in all regions," said Fitto. am