January 24, 2004Today the President of the Kosice self-governing region (KSR) Mr. Rudolf Bauer negotiated with DG Regio of European Commission delegation, led by director of Directorate F (ISPA and preaccession measures) Mr. Luis Riera Figueras. Mr. Carsten Rasmussen (in charge of ISPA fund in Slovakia), director of the Office of KSR Ms. Rozalia Mudra and regional development representatives were also participating in the meeting.Delegation was interested in KSR's preparedness for using the EU structural funds, for EU accession and KSR's priorities and strategic documents. As Mr. Bauer said, one of priorities, for which the EU means could be used, is development of institutions under the competence of KSR (in particular schools, health service and cultural facilities). Guests were also interested in the expressway Kosice - Miskolc construction, which will connect the Kosice and the Presov region with trans-european highway network and will make Eastern Slovakia more attractive to investors.Luis Riera Figueras highly appreciated cooperation between KSR and City of Kosice. Mr. Bauer referred to close cooperation between KSR and the Presov self-governing region, countries associated in the Carpathian Euroregion and entrepreneurs operating in the Kosice region. He also informed DG Regio representatives of the pilot project to improve living-conditions in Roma settlements, developed by the KSR and the U.S.Steel Kosice.Text: Sona JakesovaPhoto: Marian Krlicka