Fico Dismisses EP Resolution Critising Gov't, Points Out EU Funds Still Flowing

Bratislava, 21 May (TASR) - The Slovak government has taken note of Wednesday's (20 May) resolution by the European Parliament (EP), which called on the European Commission to assess possible serious breaches of the EU's fundamental values by the Slovak government, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) declared at a press conference on Thursday. Fico claimed that he sees no problem with the functioning of EU funds and the Recovery Plan. According to him, all payments continue to arrive to Slovakia, and he has no information suggesting any changes in this regard. "It's the same kind of resolution as when Slovak opposition representatives claim that unemployment is rising in Slovakia. It has exactly the same quality," remarked Fico. In the prime minister's view, the EP resolution reflects neither objectivity nor truth. In this context, he underlined that relations with the European Parliament differ from those with the European Commission. The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to assess possible serious breaches of the EU's fundamental values by the Slovak government. This follows a resolution adopted by MEPs during a plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday. MEPs also expressed concern over the deteriorating state of democracy and the rule of law in Slovakia, where, in their view, systemic shortcomings threaten the protection of the EU's financial interests. mf/df