Liptov: V4 Delegations Discuss Consolidation and Combating Tax Evasion

Liptovsky Mikulas, 14 September (TASR) - The Visegrad Four (V4: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) parliamentary committees responsible for finance and the budget discussed consolidation, combating tax evasion, the use of EU funds and links with the EU at a meeting held in the Liptov area on Monday, V4 representatives told a press briefing in Liptovsky Mikulas (Zilina region) on the same day. The meeting of the delegations mostly revolved around supporting economic growth in the context of public finances. "The discussion focused on solutions that should help to reduce debt and increase economic growth. In some countries, this is being pursued more through infrastructure development and major relocations of entire industrial sectors within the country, such as in Poland and the Czech Republic," said Slovak parliamentary finance and budget committee chair Jan Blchac (Voice-SD). In the first panel, the delegations dealt with the issues of strategic consolidation and fiscal sustainability, focusing on the need to consolidate public finances after years of higher deficits while seeking balanced consolidation models that don't hinder economic growth. "In the second panel, we discussed combating tax evasion and coordinating relevant steps via our tax administrations, which fall within the remit of our committees. In my opinion, we're cooperating closely in this area while striving to ensure that the funds gained from combating tax evasion are used efficiently," said Blchac, adding that the delegations also discussed the use of EU funds for projects that would bring added value to individual countries, sectors and projects. Vladimir Pikora, chair of the budget committee in the Czech Chamber of Deputies, said that in order to increase economic growth, it's first of all necessary to change the structure of the economy. "We must focus more on new technologies, AI, IT and the like. Unfortunately, it turns out that for many great young entrepreneurs in this field it's more attractive to set up a company and do business outside the EU, because the EU is over-regulated," he said. The delegates also discussed demographics as a common problem facing all their countries, said Pikora, adding that the Czech Republic in particular has recorded a dramatic slump in the birth rate over the past year. "We need to offer young people a future and a vision so they'll have a reason to have children, so that they won't be afraid of the future," he added. jrg/df