Monitor: Drucker: Slovakia Won't Be Penalised for Failing to Meet Milestones

(JOJ 24,'Politika 24', 30 August) Slovakia won't be penalised for failure to meet certain milestones under the recovery plan, but will likely lose part of the funds because it failed to meet some of the absorption indicators, Education Minister and acting Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery Plan and a Knowledge-based Economy Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) said on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday. "In terms of transport, we didn't meet the indicator at 95 percent, but at 94 percent," he noted, adding that Slovakia will lose "a very small amount money". "We might lose some money, but in the context of billions of euros that Slovakia was able to receive to improve the country and people's lives, we've fulfilled all of that," according to Drucker, who said that Slovakia managed to handle major reforms and investments under the recovery plan. He also commented on the drafting of the state budget, saying that Voice-SD attended the initial negotiations at the Finance Ministry where it was briefed on the current state of affairs. Drucker believes that funds must go to the police, education, patients and social standards. "This is not just a priority of the Voice-SD party; this government is social democratic. I believe that, at least between Voice-SD and Smer-SD, we have absolute agreement that the social sphere and people's quality of life cannot pay the price for politicians' mistakes," he said. At the same time, Drucker pointed out that the new nuclear power source is a priority for this government. According to him, it's important to ensure that Slovakia remains self-sufficient and keeps high energy prices under control. This issue has been transferred from the Economy Ministry to the Government Office because it's a major priority that is better managed from the prime minister's position, explained Drucker. He also said that, together with the Economy Ministry, they are communicating with universities so that Slovakia could become one of the centres for education in nuclear energy, physics and medicine. At a cabinet session in October, the Education Ministry also plans to submit a salary automaton for teachers. jrg