Strasbourg – On Wednesday, Members of the European Parliament (EP) approved modifications to the funding of cohesion policy and social matters within the EU. This new legislation enables the Slovak government to unfreeze 200 million euros allocated to the regions, which had previously been redirected to other uses. This was emphasized by MEP Ľubica Karvašová (PS), the shadow rapporteur for the Renew Europe (RE) group, following the vote in Strasbourg, as reported by TASR.
The RE group clarified in a media statement that the vote on the mid-term review of cohesion policy funds and the European Social Fund opens the door for redirecting EU funds towards pressing priorities while enhancing flexibility in the allocation of unspent financial resources.
“Millions of Europeans will benefit from the new regulations,” stated the liberal group from the EP, which secured a majority for crucial reforms, ensuring that member states and regions can respond to urgent requirements in areas such as defense, decarbonization, and affordable housing, as well as manage unspent funds for projects related to housing, electrical networks, and water management more flexibly.
Ľubica Karvašová highlighted that centrist members worked diligently to achieve a compromise to prioritize European regions and citizens, particularly defending less affluent regions and small to medium-sized enterprises.
“This is significant because, as the shadow rapporteur for this legislation, I was able to implement a safeguard preventing the Slovak government from transferring 200 million euros from regional EU funds, as occurred in June, and taking them from local governments,” she explained.
She indicated that the approved proposal is embedded in EU legislation in “article form” and holds the highest legal authority, necessitating compliance from all parties, including the Slovak government. She added that the European Commission, the EU Council presidency, and political groups in the EP understand the importance of this safeguard in the legislation.
This means that Minister of Investments and Regional Development Samuel Migaľ (independent) and the government must promptly unfreeze the 200 million euros taken from local governments without prior consultation. “The new regulation article mandates that they conduct this consultation, and failure to adhere to the regulation, which will take effect in the coming days, could lead to legal action against the government,” she described the situation.
Karvašová views the EP vote outcome as a strong assurance for Slovak regions, cities, and municipalities providing public services funded by European resources – from transportation to education to healthcare, and warns they face the potential loss of an additional 150 million euros due to government consolidation.
TASR reached out to Slovak MEPs from various political parties and EP groups regarding adjustments in cohesion policy financing. (September 10)
“As the shadow rapporteur for this legislation in the EP, I managed to push through a safeguard that will prevent the Slovak government, as it did in June, from transferring 200 million euros from regional EU funds and taking them from local governments.” Ľubica Karvašová
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