Ljubljana, 29 May 2018 – While the released draft EU budget 2021-2027 for Cohesion Policy and Regional Development receives mixed reactions from Member States, Slovenia welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a modernised Cohesion Policy which remains the EU’s main investment policy as well as a policy which makes Europe more resilient to global challenges. Slovenia expresses support for future Cohesion Policy which will be even more focused on innovation, competitiveness, sustainable development and creation of quality jobs.
Slovenia welcomes the unprecedented transparency of Commission that published for the first time ever the national cohesion policy allocations for Member States both in current and constant 2018 prices. The figures make an excellent springboard for negotiation on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. In its position on Cohesion Policy post-2020, Slovenia kept reiterating that a sharp cut in cohesion funding would signify an irreversible blow to the country, reflected in a sharp slowdown of the economy, and would be simply unacceptable. Slovenia therefore notes with pleasure that the Commission took on board its position, and considers that the tabled EU budget seems to be much more ‘’sensible and reasonable’’ than the negative scenarios that were speculated on in the past few months. Slovenia appreciates the fact that the Commission recognizes its specific situation which was brought on by the economic and financial crisis, and acknowledges the strong need of the country to invest more in development and growth to drive up economic convergence, support economic transformation, and tackle the challenges ahead.
Slovenian authorities will now look in the detailed proposals by funding lines or spending category in more detail, but expect that the ‘’no sharp cuts’’ principle will be respected here too.