Remisova: Minister Takac Is Lying about EU Funds Again

Bratislava, 11 February (TASR) - Opposition MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia'-'For the People' caucus) has criticised Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) for grossly misleading the public and farmers at a press conference earlier on Wednesday when he 'forgot' to say that in 2024, Slovakia lost as much as €216 million that farmers will never get back. "Richard Takac is blatantly lying when he claims that no EU funds lapsed. In 2024, a record amount of €216 million lapsed under his responsibility. This has never happened before, losing as much as €216 million at a ministry in a single year. Minister Takac is fully accountable for this huge amount. Standing in front of journalists and boasting about EU funds when a record amount lapsed during his tenure is either arrogance or absolute incompetence," said Remisova. Moreover, Takac is also responsible for Slovakia's reputation as a country where EU funds are brazenly stolen to be used for haciendas of oligarchs, while the ministry is turning a blind eye to this looting and dismisses inspectors who warn about it. "If Slovakia is allocated lower amounts from EU funds in the coming years, it will be just because Smer-SD has been plundering EU funds for years while minister Takac ignored all findings presented by Slovak and European control authorities," said Remisova, adding that Takac is keeping quiet about how much Slovakia could actually lose due to fraudulent agricultural projects and haciendas. At a press conference held on Wednesday after government's session, with Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA) head Marek Cepko also in attendance, Takac said the absorption of funds from the Rural Development Programme reached 99.25 percent by the end of 2025, with €647 million drawn in 2025 alone. Therefore, according to Takac, no funds under the programme have been forfeited. jrg