The European Commission has stated that the tender for an operator of Slovakia’s electronic-toll system organised by the Slovak government disqualified at least one qualified bidder without due reason. The Slovak committee assigned to evaluate offers had previously said it found technological flaws and a suspiciously low price in that company’s offer – it had bid about €200 million less than the winner of the tender.
The Sme daily wrote on April 15 that Brussels refused both claims of the Slovak committee and that it required evidence that the government did not unduly prefer the winning SkyToll company. Transport Minister Ľubmír Vážny is supposed to answer the letter from the EC within one month.
The ministry claims that the e-toll tender that cost the state €852 million might be expensive but it is also unique and of good quality. The list of things that put SkyToll at an advantage – according to the EC – is quite long, including the change of payment system from onboard units to tickets bought at borders. After Slovak ministry answers the letter, the Commission will decide whether it will take further steps against the country.
“We are in the process of preparing the answer to the European Commission’s letter,” the spokesperson of the Transport Ministry, Stanislav Jurikovič, told Sme, insisting that the state had not violated any law.
Source: Sme
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
