Ljubljana – Slovenia received more than three billion euros in the financial perspective 2014-2020 for projects in the fields of economy, social affairs, and territorial cohesion, said Sofia Alves from the European Commission at the Thursday event marking the conclusion of the previous European cohesion policy program. She also expressed the belief that the principle of shared management between member states and the Commission should be maintained.
As reported by the Slovenian Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, Alves, the director at the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, highlighted three projects, namely the National Institute of Biology, flood protection measures on the Gradaščica River, and the upgrade of the Maribor-Šentilj railway line project.
According to her, the directorate is convinced “that we must preserve the very essence of cohesion policy, which is reflected in the support of less developed regions and the maintenance of the regional aspect, in improving citizens’ lives and equal opportunities for all, and also in the future maintain the principle of shared management between member states and the European Commission.”
The Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Aleksander Jevšek emphasized that Slovenia successfully utilized all available cohesion funds, which improved infrastructure, encouraged innovation, and created new jobs in numerous regions. Over 9000 projects were implemented during this period.