Balik: EU Maintaining Solid Euro-fund Policy in Slovakia's Interest

Bratislava, May 30 (TASR) - EU cohesion policy must remain a solid pillar in the future, with EU funds brought as close as possible to the needs of EU citizens, said Investment Minister Peter Balik at a summit of ministers and representatives of nine countries on the future of EU funds in Bratislava on Tuesday. According to Balik, Slovakia will thus be able to benefit from almost €13 billion from new EU funds. Developing the regions is in Slovakia's interests, and at the same time it strengthens the cohesion of the EU, he opined. "The cohesion policy is the cornerstone of the EU's cohesion because it helps to reduce disparities between member countries and between regions. In the near future, EU funds should take more account of the needs of regions and be linked in particular to investment in individual territories. If Europe is to be strong, we need individual members to be strong as well, so that no region is left behind, so that people in all regions will have a European quality of life," said Balik. The minister expressed his opinion that EU funds policy must be better adapted to new and unexpected challenges. "Not all European regions are developing at the same pace; the situation has been complicated by the coronavirus crisis, the war in Ukraine and the unfavourable global economic situation. Member states and the EU as a whole must therefore remain strongly committed to redressing regional disparities and promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion," he remarked. The summit was also attended by Andres Rodriguez-Pose, the head of a group of high-level specialists on the future of cohesion policy set up by the European Commission, and by European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, who took part remotely. zel/df