Foreign Minister: “Post-corona Slovakia can be stronger”

Speaking on the public broadcaster's Saturday political debate, Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korčok (a Freedom and Solidarity/SaS nominee) stated that thanks to the intended financial aid from the EU, Slovakia might emerge from the corona-crisis stronger than it was before. Moreover, it will have a chance to modernise the country in many areas. "It isn't only about emerging from the crisis, it's also about turning the crisis into an opportunity," stated Korčok. By 2024, Slovakia should receive €8 billion from the European Commission's €750-billion recovery plan titled "Next Generation EU". According to Korčok, Slovakia should use €6 billion for structural reforms. According to parliamentary European affairs committee vice-chair and MP Peter Kmec from the opposition Smer-SD party, Slovakia might not be able to effectively draw so much money in such a short period. "It's a big sum and it should be used especially for renewing economic growth," he remarked.