The list of least developed districts to be expanded

The list of Slovakia's least developed districts could be expanded after the Government on Wednesday debated and took on board a document on the current state of support for such areas. The support scheme involves, among other things, increasing the number of personnel working for state authorities in these areas. An additional five districts from eastern Slovakia could be added to the current twelve districts on the list. They are the eastern Slovak districts of the Košice-surroundings, as well as Gelnica (Kosice region), Bardejov, Medzilaborce and Snina (all Prešov region.) According to the document, the list's expansion would be in keeping with the interests of the districts concerned. At the same time, it would increase the number of marginalised Roma communities living in underdeveloped regions to 190,000.