Migal: Investments Ministry to Be Inspired by Poland When Drawing EU Funds

Bratislava, March 20 (TASR) - The Investments Ministry aims to take inspiration from Poland's experiences in drawing EU funds, stated new Investments Minister Samuel Migal (Independent) during his first press conference at the ministry on Thursday alongside Independent MP Radomir Salitros, who is likely to be appointed as a ministry state secretary. "We don't want to reinvent the wheel. We'll take inspiration from Poland's approach to drawing EU funds. Twenty years ago, Poland was the bottom country in the V4 group [Visegrad Four: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia], but today it has surpassed the others because it effectively draws EU funds. They introduced the allocation of European funds, meaning that the ministry doesn't decide where the money goes; the decision-making process flows down to the regions, to mayors, and even to the smallest municipalities. Municipalities know best where they need funds, whether for sewage systems, street-lighting or a nursery school," explained Salitros. The second priority, according to Salitros, is to invest EU funds where they are needed most. "We want to support entrepreneurs who create jobs," he announced. At the same time, the Investments Ministry aims to halt the brain-drain from Slovakia, in particular by supporting applied research in the country. The third priority, according to Migal, is to protect children and all Slovak people from cyber-attacks. "The land registry service still isn't working at full capacity. We've also receive thousands of threatening emails and other threats to our primary and secondary schools," added the MP. Another state secretary will be introduced soon. According to Salitros, he "comes from abroad and is a top professional". lin/df