The approval of the final formal step for the disbursement of Slovakia's sixth payment request worth €590 million has not yet been placed on the agenda of the EU comitology committee, the Office of the Slovak Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery Plan and the Knowledge-based Economy announced on Wednesday.
The reason is reported to be changes concerning the Whistleblower Protection Office (UOO), the establishment of which was financed from the Recovery and Resilience Plan. According to the office, the European Commission will wait for a ruling by the Constitutional Court with respect to the authority.
"The Commission had already positively assessed at the beginning of the year the fulfilment of all milestones and targets linked to the sixth payment request and, on 10 February 2026, also moved the seventh payment request for Slovakia, worth €658 million, into the approval process," the office said.
It maintains that Slovakia is meeting its commitments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan properly and on time. The office said it is taking the situation seriously and approaching it proactively, launching intensive negotiations with the European Commission to clarify the outstanding issues and ensure the continuation of the disbursement process for the sixth payment request.
In its original form, UOO was to cease to exist as of 1 January 2026. However, following a decision by the Constitutional Court, which in December 2025 suspended the effectiveness of the law, the office continues to operate unchanged for the time being.
The Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers (UOO) views the postponement of discussions on the sixth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Plan as a serious consequence of legislative efforts to interfere with the existence and independence of its office, UOO told TASR on Thursday.
"We publicly and officially warned as early as last year during the legislative process about the potential risks associated with abolishing the office. We pointed out that a functioning and independent UOO forms part of Slovakia's commitments to the European Union and that its abolition could lead to doubts about the fulfilment of the Recovery Plan milestones. Today's situation confirms that these concerns were justified," UOO stated.
According to UOO, this step has shown that whistleblower protection and the related independent institution are not merely a "cosmetic" formal condition, but a key instrument in the fight against corruption and the misuse of public funds, including EU funds. "Weakening this system sends a signal that may have long-term consequences for Slovakia's reputation within the EU," the office warned.
UOO declared that it will continue to fulfil its statutory duties and is ready to provide expert cooperation in seeking a solution that ensures whistleblower protection in line with European standards, while safeguarding the financial interests of both the European Union and Slovakia.
In January, the European Commission sent Slovakia a formal notice of possible infringement with respect to the Whistleblower Protection Office and requested additional information and clarification.
The legislation approved by Parliament in December was intended to transform UOO into a new Office for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Whistleblowers. In addition to handling the whistleblower agenda, the new body was to take over responsibility for the compensation of crime victims from the Justice Ministry.
Source: TASR
