Migaľ: The absorption of EU funds by Slovak regions is at 6 percent, the ministry wants to accelerate it

Bratislava – The absorption of EU funds from the Slovakia Program by higher territorial units is at approximately 6%. Of the total amount of 1.4 billion euros, 66 million euros have been contracted. This was stated on Wednesday after a government meeting by the Minister of Investments of the Slovak Republic, Samuel Migaľ (independent), who also presented, among other things, the status of EU fund absorption by higher territorial units and cities, TASR reports.

“As for the contracting itself, we are at the level of six percent within the higher territorial units. So, of the total amount of 1.4 billion euros from European funds, it is only 66 million euros,” Migaľ stated.

He added that unlike the Czech Republic, which has approved project intentions at the level of 100%, in Slovakia, the speed of approving project intentions is at the level of 9%. He specified that the absorption of EU funds is most slowed down by the control of public procurement.

“The control that the Office for Public Procurement cannot keep up with is really burdensome for us to speed up the process of absorbing EU funds. We are preparing specific steps that we will present, but basically, I can say that we want public procurement to be controlled randomly,” the minister explained, adding that controls would mainly be carried out in cases of doubt. He added that they want to simplify the control system in accordance with EU rules and in agreement with the Office for Public Procurement and the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic.

The Minister of Investments presented an oral report to the government on Wednesday regarding the status of the implementation of EU funds under the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic. According to Migaľ, the Ministry of Transport is a leader in the absorption of EU funds, with resources primarily going to railway and road transport. According to the minister, the Ministry of Economy is also successfully absorbing EU funds. (May 7)

“As for the contracting itself, we are at the level of six percent within the higher territorial units. So, of the total amount of 1.4 billion euros from European funds, it is only 66 million euros.” Samuel Migaľ.