
Brussels – Slovenian Minister Aleksandar Jevšek has expressed the country’s opposition to linking the disbursement of European cohesion funds to the implementation of reforms and investments in the forthcoming EU multiannual financial framework (MFF). Slovenia has seen the lowest absorption of cohesion funds among EU member states under the current financial period, prompting the government to take steps to improve this situation.
Recently, the European Commission released a document to guide discussions on the MFF proposal for 2028-2034, suggesting that each member state should draft a plan outlining necessary reforms and investments. The approval of these plans would be tied to the distribution of EU funds.
“Slovenia prefers that cohesion funds be allocated at the regional level, granting those regions greater autonomy in managing these resources,” Minister Jevšek stated. He added that the government still needs to finalize its official position on this matter.
Data from Brussels indicates that as of late October, Slovenia had absorbed only 14.4 percent of the allocated cohesion funds, amounting to approximately 4.5 billion euros for the 2021-2027 period, significantly lower than the EU average of 30.6 percent.
In light of the slow absorption rates, Jevšek noted that the Ministry of Cohesion has implemented measures to enhance this process, and they are preparing necessary changes to the European cohesion policy implementation program, which the government is expected to adopt soon.













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