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EU Affairs

The Slovak EU Presidency – challenges and opportunities

(by Patrik Tomeš)

I am writing this editorial after six years spent in Brussels, serving as Slovakia’s Ambassador to the EU. Those six years gave me a chance to experience and observe twelve EU Member States in conducting their respective Presidencies in the Council of the EU, and to see, among other things, how the Presidency’s role had changed with the Lisbon Treaty, what the Presidency should do and what should be avoided.  

DSM – a real “gamechanger” or just another overambitious policy?

(by Patrik Tomeš)

There is no doubt that successful implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe is going to be one of the most important and most ambitious tasks of the current European Commission. Should President Juncker’s team really manage to adopt all of the proposed 16 measures, the digital single market will generate an unprecedented amount of new digital opportunities for businesses across whole Europe.

The digital future is bright

(by Patrik Tomeš)

The global economy is a digital one in which Information and Communication Technology is no longer a specific sector, but the foundation of the modern innovative economic system. It is creating new economies and efficiencies, increasing competitiveness and jobs. 

Energy audit in the EU: an effective tool for energy savings

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Energy audits have been present in the EU for more than two decades. In spite of their energy saving potential, only a small number of Member States had introduced binding energy audits before 2012. The new directive on energy efficiency (2012/27/EU) is aiming to change that and to make energy audits a vital part of the European market for energy services.

The Circular Economy Concept – what is it all about?

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Shortly before the launch of the Circular Economy Package in 2014, former EU Commissioner Janez Potočnik described the Circular Economy concept as “the greatest innovation challenge of the coming decades”. While some stakeholders view it simply as another ambitious and costly regulation, others see it as an inevitable socio-economic shift that actually has a strong business case behind it.

The State of the Union a Year Before the Slovak Presidency

(by Patrik Tomeš)

The Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union, scheduled for the second half of 2016, presents a unique opportunity to raise Slovakia’s credit abroad as well as to initiate a deeper public debate in Slovakia. We approached an expert on the EU, Jozef Bátora, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Comenius University in Bratislava, who agreed to share his views on the topics which currently resonate in the European public, on the future of the European project, as well as the opportunity presented by Slovakia’s upcoming Presidency.

Current challenges facing businesses across Europe

(by Patrik Tomeš)

For businesses, the main challenge is finding customers, whereas for governments it remains a fundamental revision of the regulatory framework. 

Slovakia - honest broker or national interest defender?

(by Patrik Tomeš)

The Presidency of the European Council, one of the main EU institutions, is held by a Member State according to the EU Treaties. The Treaties do not give any guidelines regarding how the Presidency should be conducted. Indeed, the word “presidency” is found in only two articles in the treaty texts. 

Musical gems of the winter season

(by Patrik Tomeš)

The concerts of the Kapos Agency showcase the very best Slovak and international singers and have enriched the live music scene in Bratislava with concerts at the highest level. We present an overview of upcoming concerts.

The AmCham Tax Committee

(by Patrik Tomeš)

The AmCham Tax Committee represents the views and positions of AmCham member companies on tax-related issues. It strives to contribute regularly to the debate on tax-related topics with its members´ expertise, mainly by commenting on new legislation and providing recommendations through position papers. It is one of AmCham’s most active committees and over the years it has become a valuable expert partner of relevant public and private stakeholders.