The PHARE grant program of the European Commission has allocated 85 million euros in possible funding for Slovakia for 1999. However, Slovakia will receive these funds only if individual projects meet the criteria of quality, General Director of the Section for European Integration of the Slovak Cabinet, Roman Filistein, announced April 26.
An additional eight million euros have been allocated for cross-border projects with Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Funds for special projects, such as those which address Romany status in Slovakia, will be allocated money from another 'Pre-Ins' fund. Thus, financial assistance to Slovakia could hover around 95 to 100 million euros in 1999, he said.
Filistein also said that the assistance this year will focus on five key ministries: finance, agriculture, justice, interior, and environment. However, non-governmental organizations from all branches also can apply for assistance.
