Migal Discusses Future EU Funds with Representatives of Regions

Bratislava, 12 March (TASR) - Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization Samuel Migal (independent) is continuing his meetings on the National and Regional Partnership Plan for 2028–2034, and met on Thursday with representatives of the association of self-governing regions SK8, the Slovak Towns and Villages Association (ZMOS), the Slovak Cities Union (UMS) and village mayors to discuss new EU funds. Migal stated that EU funds must be an investment in the country's future. "Today we can say that Slovakia may have around €19.9 billion available from European sources in the new period, which is more than five billion compared with the period from which we are drawing money today. But at the same time we must say one thing very openly — we no longer have room for projects that arise only to spend money, for the sake of spending money," the minister said. He added that if "we want to prepare a good plan, we must listen to the regions", because it is there that decisions are made about how people in Slovakia really live. Representatives of local authorities agreed that it is important for municipalities and regions to take part in preparing the plan for the new EU funding period. SK8 chair Jozef Viskupic recalled that 80-85 percent of investment projects are currently financed from EU funds. He added that self-governing regions would like to be directly involved in negotiations with the European Commission as well. According to Viskupic, regions can offer their experience with the new method of drawing EU funds, which places emphasis on results-oriented spending or on bolstering competitiveness. ZMOS chair Jozef Bozik underlined that funds from the new EU budgeting period will need to be drawn from as early as 2028. "This means that the ability to absorb these resources will be crucial for municipalities, towns as well as self-governing regions," he said. Despite the fact that local elections will be held this year and their representatives will change, preparations for drawing the funds must be made so that they suit the state as well as local authorities, which provide key services to citizens, he added. According to UMS head Richard Rybnicek, it is not possible for regions, towns and villages to learn at the last minute what large investment projects the government plans in individual regions, nor should the government find out at the last minute what local authorities intend to do. "When we're aware of this concept, then it is absolutely clear that we must divide Slovakia into so-called urban functional areas, meaning areas where cities and their surroundings are the natural centre of service provision — that is, all mayors and city mayors who fall under this concept," he added. mf