EU Court: Slovakia Did Not Meet Its Flood Risk Obligations

Bratislava – The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled in favor of the European Commission (EC) in its legal action against the Slovak Republic for not meeting its flood risk management obligations. The Slovak Ministry of the Environment (MoE) clarified on Thursday that this judgment pertains to the shortcomings of previous government administrations and does not impose any financial penalties. The ministry also announced that it has implemented corrective measures to address the issues promptly, as reported by TASR.

Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba, representing the Slovak National Party (SNS), pointed out that Slovakia was required to update its flood risk management plans by December 22, 2021, which it failed to accomplish.

“The relevant authorities did not review and update the essential documents needed to develop effective flood risk management plans, specifically flood hazard and flood risk maps,” Taraba noted, criticizing the previous ministry leadership under Ján Budaj from the Ordinary People and Independent Personalities party (OĽANO) for their management of the Slovak Water Management Enterprise (SVP), which is tasked with these updates.

He emphasized that the current government has rectified the previous delays, and by early January, Slovakia met its obligations, which the MoE has already communicated to the European Commission. Taraba added that the necessary measures are focused on ensuring the stability of the SVP’s operations.

“Slovak hydrologists, in conjunction with the Slovak Environmental Agency, have prepared an updated flood risk management plan for the sub-basins of Slovakia. This strategic document has also undergone the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process,” the minister highlighted.

The formal infringement notice from the European Commission regarding the incomplete revision of flood risk management plans, as mandated by the flood directive, was received by the MoE in February 2023.

At the same time, 15 other European Union member states also received formal notifications concerning their incomplete revisions of flood risk management plans by the specified deadline (February 6).