Today, Friday 1 July, European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, offered the Slovak Government the full support of his Commission as the country launches its first-ever Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In his remarks following the meeting in Bratislava between the College of Commissioners and the Slovak Government, President Juncker said the programme of the Slovak Presidency was “in perfect harmony with the European Commission’s programme”.

The President underlined that the Commission would forge ahead with its political priorities in all areas. He highlighted that one of the most important challenges facing the European economy was the “lack of investment”, which is why the EU needed to “prolong the Investment Plan for Europe which is turning into a real success story with €107 billion of new investment already.” The Slovak Presidency website is now online: http://www.eu2016.sk/en.