Minister of Education, Research, Development and Youth Tomáš Drucker (Voice-SD) temporarily entrusted with the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic for the Recovery Plan and the Knowledge Economy, will make decisions on disputed innovation calls and on the National Technology and Innovation Center (NITC) only on the basis of facts. Drucker stated this on Monday after the meeting of the Committee for Economic Affairs of the National Council (NR) of the Slovak Republic, which dealt with these cases.
“Today, I participated in the meeting of the Committee of the Slovak National Council for Economic Affairs, where I clearly and openly presented the position of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic for the Recovery Plan and the Knowledge Economy towards innovation challenges and the project of the National Innovation and Technology Center (NITC). I guarantee that all processes will undergo rigorous and uncompromising control.” said Drucker.
He wants to make decisions exclusively on the basis of facts, the results of checks and in accordance with the law, not under political pressure or on the basis of impressions. “I will provide complete, accurate and understandable information to the public and the media. I will do so openly and transparently, without abbreviations or concealment.” added the minister.
Regarding the questionable purchase of the former Voderada outlet near Trnava from state resources, a parliamentary inquiry will be held at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic for the Recovery Plan and the Knowledge Economy. The opposition MPs criticized in particular the overpriced property price, as well as the method of payment, which, according to them, was not supported by the law.
The former head of the office of the Deputy Prime Minister Peter Kmec (Voice-SD) rejected the criticism and argued, among other things, with an expert opinion. According to him, the property in Voderady is worth 19.3 million euros. However, NITC acquired the site for 16.9 million euros. Member of Parliament Veronika Remišová (Slovakia – For the People) pointed out that in 2021 the real estate company acquired these properties for five million euros.
