At the handover, the new Minister underlined that his priority was a successful closure of the 2014-2020 programming period and spending of the funds still available up until the end of 2023. He also highlighted the importance of simplifying and streamlining the procedures underlying the use of cohesion funds. This is the only way to bring the funds closer to the people. Dr Jevšek called for further efforts to reduce development disparities between Slovenian regions. He said that the people born in the east of the country in general had a lower living standard, found it harder to get a job, pursue their education, engage in sports or be creative than those born in the west of the country.

According to dr Jevšek, cohesion opens up funding opportunities and is, above all, a means of channeling this money to level up development opportunities of regions, municipalities, businesses, communities and, in particular, of individuals.

Zvone Černač wished the new Minister every success in his new role and in taking the work forward, highlighting that Slovenia ranked fourth in terms of absorption performance in 2022 and was set to place among top three Member States in the coming year.

Photo: GODC