New bridges, hospitals, roads and schools are just a portion of the benefits of Slovakia's membership to the European Union, influencing each and every Slovaks citizen, believes the head of the European Commission's Representation Office in Slovakia Ladislav Miko, with Tuesday being 14 years since Slovakia joined the EU on May 1, 2004.
"Over the last 14 years, the EU has gradually become a solid part of our lives. Every single one of us has certainly enjoyed the positive benefits of the membership, maybe even without realising it," said Miko, adding the euro currency, single market and free movement of workers and goods within the EU to the advantages of being in the Union. He added that environmental improvement, EU funds, greater consumer protection and addressing the double standards in food and product quality are among the main benefits of being an EU member.
The European Commission Representation Office head went on to say that thanks to the EU Slovaks have more freedom, they can run a business on a market with 500 million people, they don't need a work permit to work in the EU and many other things. Miko also said that a great portion of public investments in Slovakia have been carried out thanks to EU funds: between 2004-2015 Slovakia received more than €18.6 billion from the EU budget. When the sum provided to the EU budget by Slovakia is deducted, the net figure Slovakia received from EU funds in this period amounts to €12.1 billion. Within the 2014-20 programme period Slovakia can use €15.3 billion. According to Miko, joining the EU has also improved Slovakia's position on the international scene and has brought more stability and security to the country.
