European authorities have launched an inquiry into suspicious digitalization projects managed under the Slovak Ministry of Investments, according to Czech Member of European Parliament Tomáš Zdechovský. The investigation places upcoming European funding disbursements from the recovery plan at risk, alongside the potential recovery of already distributed funds if irregularities are proven.
The European Commission is actively reviewing million-euro digitalization grants awarded to specific private companies, the financing of an inactive advertising portal, and the suspended modernization of the state portal Slovensko.sk. European Parliament member Tomáš Zdechovský raised these concerns following long-standing monitoring of European fund utilization in Slovakia.
Audit Focuses on Specific Grants and Operational Capacities
The inquiries target financial allocations around 1.2 to 1.3 million euros granted to companies named Forecast AI and Biape. Additional questions concern a grant directed toward an inactive advertising portal and the operational capacities, ownership structures, and project execution capabilities of the recipients.
Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Trade, confirmed in an official response that the European Commission received formal notification regarding potential irregularities within the digitalization portfolio. The Commission stated it is actively monitoring the situation and retains the legal authority to decrease financial support or demand direct reimbursement of improperly disbursed funds in cases where fraud, corruption, or conflicts of interest are confirmed.
Upcoming Ninth Payment Request Serves as Critical Test
A decisive moment approaches for Slovakia as the state prepares to submit its ninth payment request from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, an application the Slovak side has not yet officially filed. During this evaluation, the government must clearly demonstrate that established objectives and investments align fully with strict Union regulations.
“This is for the Slovak government a very serious warning,” Zdechovský stated regarding the Commission’s oversight. “The European Commission clearly says that it knows about the suspicions and that at the last payment request it will not be possible to simply sweep problematic projects under the rug. If corruption, conflict of interest, or misuse of European money is proven and the Slovak authorities do not remedy the matter, financial consequences must come.”
Did You Know? The European Commission maintains the legal right under Union regulations to reduce financial support or directly recover funds if investigations confirm instances of fraud, corruption, or conflicts of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the European inquiry into Slovak projects?
Czech Member of European Parliament Tomáš Zdechovský raised formal questions regarding specific digitalization projects under the Slovak Ministry of Investments, prompting the European Commission to examine potential irregularities.
Which companies and projects are under review?
The inquiries involve grants around 1.2 to 1.3 million euros awarded to companies named Forecast AI and Biape, funding for an inactive advertising portal, and the suspended modernization of the state website Slovensko.sk.
What are the potential financial consequences for Slovakia?
If irregularities, fraud, corruption, or conflicts of interest are confirmed, the European Commission may reduce financial support or demand the direct recovery of already disbursed funds, alongside blocking upcoming recovery plan payments.
What steps should national authorities take to address growing concerns over disputed digitalization grants before the upcoming payment request evaluation?