Slovak EU Presidency in 2016 could focus on energy and tax evasion

Energy, the fight against tax evasion and water issues may well be among the priorities of Slovakia's 2016 EU Presidency, according to Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák. "These are the issues interesting for Slovakia," Lajčák said after his meeting with representatives of political the parties Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), Most-Hid, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), Ordinary People (OLaNO), SDKU-DS and Network. The meetings were to give opposition parties more information about the preparations for the 2016 Presidency. Slovakia is slated to assume the Presidency on 1 July next year. And as Slovakia is to hold the next Parliamentary elections in March 2016, the current government will carry out the preparations for the EU Presidency and the next government will actually rule during the Presidency. "It's important for us to have the programme conceived as a product of a society-wide discussion, with contributions from all parties of the political spectrum," stated Minister Lajčák. He added that as the date of Slovakia's EU Presidency approaches, the debate with representatives of political parties should be more active. Minister Lajčák intends to continue meetings with representatives of political parties, as he wants to keep them informed in order to prevent any doubts being raised about, for instance, public procurement processes surrounding the Presidency. Slovakia will replace the Netherlands to preside over the EU as of January. According to EU rules, the Presidency always falls under the remit of a group of three states for the duration of 18 months. Slovakia will assume this responsibility alongside the Netherlands and Malta.