The priorities of the Slovak Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers are being outlined to parliamentary committees by Slovak ministers at a series of meetings, during this week and in September.
Foreign affairs: EU enlargement, EU-NATO, visa requirements
Regaining the credibility of EU enlargement policy, which is the best EU tool to promote reforms in the neighbourhood, while maintaining the conditionality principle and assessing each country’s progress, is a key Presidency priority, Foreign and European affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák, told the Foreign Affairs Committee on 12 July.
MEPs welcomed the Presidency’s focus on enlargement, hoping the current slowdown could be overcome. Several asked Mr Lajčák to ensure the swift implementation of EU-NATO declaration on mutual capabilities and timely lifting of EU visa requirements for Georgia and Ukraine.
Legal Affairs: e-justice, copyright, whistleblower protection
More efficient cross-border judicial cooperation with emphasis on ‘e-justice’ – electronic communication in the justice field – is high the Presidency’s agenda, as are progress in creating a digital single market and copyright reform, Justice Minister Lucia Žitňanská and State Secretary at the Culture Ministry Ivan Sečík, told the Legal Affairs Committee on 12 July.
MEPs highlighted the importance of whistle-blower protection and progress on the shareholders’ rights directive. A priority stressed by both sides was revising the so-called ”Brussels IIa regulation” to help international couples resolve disputes, involving more than one country, over divorce and child custody.
Fisheries: sustainable management of fishing fleets, data collection, North Sea
The need to ensure fish stocks are sustainable and to protect the EU’s thriving fisheries sector was stressed by Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriela Matečná on 12 July, in a debate with the Fisheries Committee. Ms Matečná said the Presidency will focus on the following legislative files: the data collection framework, the sustainable management of external fishing fleets, the technical measures regulation and the Commission proposal on the North Sea management plan, which it is to table this summer.
Replying to MEPs’ questions on the implications of Brexit, Ms Matečná said it is rather early to discuss this and that it will be examined once Article 50 is triggered.
Transport: aviation safety, electric vehicles, ICAO and IMO
Ongoing revision of aviation safety rules and preparing EU positions for the next ICAO and IMO meetings, will be the Presidency priorities, Transport, Construction and Regional Development Minister Roman Brecely told the Transport Committee on 12 July. He also stressed the need to boost take-up of electric vehicles and cycling.
MEPs asked the minister about the effects of minimum wages in Germany and France on the transport single market, initiatives for road transport and decarbonisation, ensuring EU funding for transport projects, whether a European or a global approach to ETS should be preferred and progress on air passenger rights.
