Brussels/Strasbourg – A six-member delegation of Slovak MEPs from the PS movement and the Renew Europe (RE) group has officially urged the European Commission (EC), the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), and pertinent European Parliament (EP) committees to intervene against potential misuse of EU funds in Slovakia. This announcement was made on Monday by MEP Lucia Yar, who is part of the EP Committee on Budgets, during a conversation with a TASR correspondent in Brussels.
Upon her arrival at the May plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Yar elaborated that she and Michal Wiezik initiated a letter that garnered support from four other Slovak MEPs in the RE group, seeking assistance from European institutions to halt the misuse of EU funds.
The MEP highlighted suspicions surrounding several developments near Nitra, Krupina, Limbach, and Lechnica, which were constructed using EU funds but appear to be used solely for private gain, violating European regulations. She registered to address this issue during the plenary session on Monday in order to inform her fellow EU legislative members about the situation.
“Government officials claim that we MEPs are working against Slovakia and wish to take away its EU funds. However, it is they who have turned the EU into a cash register for their personal ventures or for their friends. We are witnessing nepotism and allegations of exploiting the citizens of Slovakia. This must stop, which is why we are seeking assistance from the relevant European authorities,” MEP Yar declared.
The appeal directed at pertinent EU institutions aims to promptly seek clarifications from Slovak managing authorities, the Agricultural Payment Agency, and relevant ministries regarding how the projects were assessed and whether they are being carried out according to approved plans.
“We are calling for an independent investigation into the possible misuse of EU funds. Additionally, we propose holding a joint hearing in the European Parliament to examine these cases and discuss necessary systemic reforms,” Yar explained.
She noted that a mission from the EP Committee on Budgetary Control is anticipated to visit Slovakia at the end of May. Initially intended to observe the spending of recovery plan funds, Yar believes the committee members will also investigate pension-related cases that fail to serve their intended purpose.
“This scandal does not occur in isolation. It arises during crucial negotiations about the future of the EU’s multiannual financial framework, from which billions are expected to flow into Slovakia. As an MEP, I find it increasingly challenging to persuade colleagues from Germany or the Netherlands to not only maintain EU funding for us but also to increase it. My concerns are heightened regarding the current negotiations on the future European budget, for which I hold the position of vice-chair of the budget committee,” Yar stated. (May 5)
“Government officials claim that we MEPs are working against Slovakia and wish to take away its EU funds. However, it is they who have turned the EU into a cash register for their personal ventures or for their friends. We are witnessing nepotism and allegations of exploiting the citizens of Slovakia. This must stop, which is why we are seeking assistance from the relevant European authorities.” Lucia Yar
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