About: Slovak Presidency
Romanian MEP: National reputation at risk over 2019 EU presidency plans
Romanian MEP Cristian Preda has denounced his country’s planned coordination of its stint holding the EU rotating presidency in 2019, insisting Romania’s reputation in Brussels will suffer greatly. EURACTIV Romania reports.
Slovak EU presidency reaps big year-end harvest
The Slovak EU presidency has pushed through an avalanche of decisions in recent days, proving that the EU can still move forward despite the various crises it faces.
EU strikes tentative deal on 700 MHz band for mobile internet
The Slovak Presidency, which made bringing “deliverables” to EU citizens one of its priorities, reached an informal agreement with the European Parliament on the coordinated use of a key frequency band that will allow the introduction of 5G as of 2020.
EU officials: Summit set to be a ‘minefield’ of ‘sensitive, explosive’ stuff
Thursday’s summit of EU leaders (15 December) will be a “minefield”, senior EU officials warned on Wednesday (14 December), citing a list of “sensitive, explosive stuff” that could blow up in their faces.
EU, Cuba sign pact to normalise relations
The EU and Cuba on Monday signed a deal to normalise ties that had been blocked for decades by human rights concerns under revolutionary icon Fidel Castro.
Italy, Greece face off against easterners in EU migration feud
The European Union's tug of war over how to share out the burden of caring for asylum-seekers is not over, Slovakia's interior minister said on Friday (9 December) after six months of trying unsuccessfully to bridge differences between member states.
Hurdle cleared to visa-free EU travel for Ukraine, Georgia
EU negotiators said Thursday (8 December) they have resolved an internal row that had delayed visa-free travel to Europe for Ukrainians and Georgians.
Malta looks to guide Europe on social issues in upcoming EU presidency
Slovakia’s time at the helm of the EU rotating presidency has not been completely smooth sailing and its successor, Malta, will hope to guide the bloc’s agenda controversy-free. Recent successes in social issues point towards a presidency quite different from the last.
Commission says ‘stop free circulation of Kalashnikovs’
Talks on an EU-wide ban on some of the most lethal semi-automatic assault weapons, including the Kalashnikov prized by militants the world over, broke down yesterday (6 December) amid disputes over definitions of firearm types.
Member states support extension of Juncker Plan with EU funds
EU finance ministers on Tuesday (6 December) backed the European Commission’s proposal to expand the investment plan to mobilise at least €500 billion by 2020.
EU countries near compromise on countering Russian gas supply risks
EU nations are edging toward a compromise on a proposal to guard against gas supply disruptions, agreeing to share details on contracts and cooperate across borders, the Slovak presidency said yesterday (5 December).
Ministers agree on ‘sustainably’ ending roaming charges
The Council agreed on a solution to end roaming fees in 2017, while lessening the impact on mobile operators. But consumer organisations warned against operators hiking domestic prices as compensation.
December EU summit to last one day only, May not invited for dinner
The regular end-of-year summit of EU leaders will last only one day and will end with a dinner where Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is not invited, the indicative programme of the meeting showed yesterday (1 December).
Barnier steps up Brexit talk preparations
Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s Brexit negotiator has visited most of the EU capitals to test the waters ahead of negotiations. EU27 officials will hold a meeting next week to discuss details of the forthcoming negotiation.
Fico overreacts to allegations of Slovak presidency accounting tweaks
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has ended his country's EU Presidency on a sour note by calling journalists who reported allegations of accounting tweaks by his government as “dirty, anti-Slovak prostitutes."
Maltese Presidency unveils logo, priorities
Malta, which will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 January 2017, has unveiled its logo and priorities, its overarching objective being to restore trust in the Union.
Transparency International looks into Slovak Presidency accounting
Following revelations by a whistleblower, Transparency International has uncovered tricks for funding projects without going through public procurement procedures. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.
No compromise in sight, EU ministers at odds over immigration
European Union interior ministers were at odds today (18 November) over how to handle immigration, with heated discussions between states who want more burden sharing and those who oppose any kind of obligatory relocation.
EU approves Ukraine visa-free travel
European Union member states yesterday (17 November) approved visa-free travel for Ukraine citizens, long sought by Kyiv to help cement ties as it combats pro-Russian rebels in the east.
Slovak presidency brokers the EU’s 2017 budget
The Slovak presidency brokered the EU budget for 2017 overnight (16-17 November), setting aside more funds for making Europe more competitive and secure. More money will go for the reception and integration of refugees and to addressing the root causes of migration.
Central Europe discovers the potential of bioeconomy
Today, bioeconomy is a necessity, said Slovak Minister of Agriculture Gabriela Matečná. Central and Eastern Europe is still lagging behind in its uptake, but the key to the transition may be in the regions. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.
European border agency inaugurated at Bulgaria-Turkey border
The EU launched its beefed-up border force today (6 October) in a rare show of unity at a symbolic location – the Bulgarian-Turkeis border guarded by a metal fence and razor wire.
Austria’s chancellor sees CETA negotiations on right track
Austria's government yesterday (3 October) seemed to have found common ground on a free trade agreement between the European Union and Canada with Chancellor Christian Kern, who has criticised the pact in the past, saying negotiations were on the right track.