Brussels, 22/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 January, the European Commission approved Slovakia's map for granting state aid between 2014 and 2020 within the framework of the new regional aid guidelines. Member states are allowed to grant state aid to promote the economic development of areas where the standard of living is abnormally low or where there is serious underemployment in regions with GDP of less than 75% of the EU average. In line with these principles, 88.48% of the population of the Slovak Republic living in the regions of Stredne Slovensko, Vychodne Slovensko and Zapadne Slovensko will continue to be eligible for regional investment aid at maximum aid intensities varying between 25% and 35% of the eligible costs of the relevant investment projects. As compared with the Slovak regional aid map currently in force, the aid intensities will be 15% lower in the new map, in line with the new regional aid guidelines endorsed by the Commission in June 2013 (see EUROPE 10857). The region of Bratislava, where 11.52% of the Slovak population lives, has per capita GDP of more than 100% of the EU average and will thus not be eligible for regional aid between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2020. This does not alter the current situation, since this region ceased to be eligible for aid under the current regional aid map in 2009. (FG/transl.fl)