The Economic and Financial Committee (EFC) of the Council of the EU has approved its opinion on Slovakia's seventh request for a payment from the Recovery and Resilience Plan totalling €761 million (€658 million net). The committee also confirmed the European Commission's preliminary assessment that Slovakia had met 17 of the 18 milestones and targets set.
According to the Vice-premier for the Recovery Plan and a Knowledge-based Economy’s Office, this decision is clear evidence that the mechanisms of the Recovery Plan are working and that Slovakia is making progress in meeting the agreed targets. The seventh request includes specific investments and reforms with a direct impact on people.
Slovakia is also in intensive negotiations with the EC on the release of funds from the sixth payment request. The talks partly cover issues related to changes in legislation on the Whistleblowers Protection Office.
Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Hlas-SD), who is in charge of the Office of the Vice-Premier for the Recovery Plan and a Knowledge-based Economy, discussed the next steps in Brussels with Celine Gauer, head of the EC's Directorate-General for Reform and Investment. Both sides expressed their shared interest in good and fair relations, as well as mutual understanding of their needs and commitments. The negotiations were constructive and professional, stated Drucker.
"Our priority is for Slovakia to obtain all the funds to which it is entitled. The negotiations were objective, professional and conducted in a spirit of mutual interest in finding a solution. I had a good feeling about them," said Drucker.
Source: TASR
