Slovakia Was Third Biggest Net Recipient from EU Budget Last Year
Bratislava, July 28 (TASR) – Slovakia was the third biggest net recipient from the European Union budget in 2015, with the country’s net income from the EU amounting to €3.095 billion last year, according to the latest data released by the European Commission.Only Bulgaria and Hungary were bigger net recipients than Slovakia, which drew €3.73 billion from the EU budget last year. Conversely, it contributed €607.9 million, including €88.9 million in the form of duties and trading fees.
When calculated per capita, each Slovak received €689 from the EU budget and contributed €128 to it last year, making a net profit of €561 per person from EU membership.
“European funds significantly help Slovakia’s development. More intensive use of European funds reaching over €3.7 billion significantly contributed towards higher economic growth and the creation of new jobs last year. I believe that further European funds allocated for Slovakia will be efficiently used and will improve the lives of Slovak citizens,” said head of the EC Representation in Slovakia Dusan Chrenek.
Slovakia used the biggest portion from last year’s incomes on economic, social and regional cohesion projects, with €3.086 billion going towards those.
A sum of €566.5 million headed for the Slovak agricultural sector. Direct payments to farmers reached almost €440 million, while the EU invested €122.5 million in the development of Slovakia’s rural areas.
