Brussels, 31/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner for Regional Policy Michel Barnier met the Slovakian Prime Minister and Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Regional Development and the Environment. They discussed the state of progress in implementation of the Ispa Programme. The programme in question is a Community instrument aimed at developing transport infrastructures and protection of the environment in candidate countries. Slovakia benefits from an annual allocation of EUR 48 million for this. The Commission notes in a press release that, even if results are remarkable since 117% of the funds allocated to Slovakia in 2000 and 2001 have been committed, there is still considerable progress to be made to improve the absorptive capacity of the environment sector. The Commissioner also called for improved cooperation between ministers in the development and management of these programmes.