Slovak aces in EMA bid: security, cost of life and culture

On Thursday, Slovak Health Minister Tomas Drucker officially presented in Brussels the country's bid to provide the headquarters for the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is leaving London due to Brexit. Speaking at Slovakia's Permanent Representation to the European Commission, Drucker noted that the Commission last week ranked Bratislava as one of the best bidders out of 19 cities. As he added, officials from the Health Ministry in the summer met representatives of the EMA staff to hear their concerns about the relocation. "We want to persuade the EMA staff that the views they perhaps have of Bratislava and Slovakia are only due to their lack of experience," said Drucker. He added that although Bratislava might be less renowned than attractive tourist destinations such as Milan and Barcelona, Slovakia's aces are its security, lower cost of living and wide-ranging cultural opportunities.