At the extraordinary EU summit in Brussels held on Thursday and Friday, Slovakia is demanding honest discussions on protecting the single market, ensuring justice for weaker or smaller member countries in terms of capital, Interim Premier Eduard Heger told the press after arriving in Brussels. Heads of governments and states of the EU have been discussing the protection of the single market and competitiveness in Brussels. Blocs of countries were formed before the summit, and they have differing views on the European Commission's proposals regarding how to face the American investment protection law and Chinese competitive pressures.
The European Commission wants to improve the situation by temporarily relaxing the rules on state aid in favour of investments in green innovations and by creating a European Sovereignty Fund. Smaller member countries, including Slovakia, disagree with this. Conversely, France and Germany support it.
Countries with smaller budgetary power fear that the release of state subsidies will mostly help strong economies, cause a 'subsidy race' and distort the functioning of the internal market.
When asked by TASR how the leaders will resolve the split in opinion at the summit, Heger emphasised that it must be a "very honest" debate.
"There's need to realise that the single market is supposed to protect every single member country. We don't want to cause discrimination against smaller countries or those that don't have enough capital under the influence of state aid. This would also lead to regional differences, and that's something we don't want," stressed the premier.
According to Heger, Slovakia demands that, once the rules are relaxed, state aid should be targeted, temporary and flexible. It must take into account rules that exclude any discrimination against countries with less capital.
Source: TASR
