SUMMARY-Friday-September 14, 2018 - 10 p.m.

BRATISLAVA - Inflation accelerated in August 2018, and the price of phone calls increased more significantly, UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia analyst Lubomir Korsnak stated in reaction to inflation figures released by the Statistics Office on Friday. BRATISLAVA - Slovak priest Martin Michalicek became the next general secretary of the Council of Bishops' Conferences of Europe (CCEE), due to the plenary meeting vote held by Presidents of the European Bishops' Conferences at Poznan in Poland on Thursday (September 13), TASR learnt from Michal Lipiak of the Slovak Bishops' Conference on Friday. BRATISLAVA - The Slovak Agricultural and Food Chamber (SPPK) on Friday joined Copa Cogeca, the largest lobbyist agricultural organisation in the EU, TASR learnt from SPPK spokesperson Jana Holeciova on the same day. BRATISLAVA - Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) as part of an inspection day at the Defence Ministry on Friday stressed the importance of the modernisation of the Slovak army, TASR learnt on the same day. BRUSSELS - A proposal on establishing the EU's Neighbourhood, Development and International Co-operation Instrument (NDICI) was high on the agenda of an informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Friday. BRUSSELS - Five MEPs are expected to visit both Slovakia and Malta next week to examine the situation concerning the rule of law, corruption and the safety of journalists in the two EU countries, TASR learnt on Friday. BRATISLAVA - Transport and Construction Minister Arpad Ersek (Most-Hid) on Friday asked general director of state-owned railway passenger carrier ZSSK Slovensko Filip Hlubocky to provide passengers who got stuck inside trains due to extensive damage to the traction line in Bratislava last week with higher compensation. BRATISLAVA - Sacking professional soldiers of the Slovak Armed Forces due to their involvement in the activities of the paramilitary organisation Slovenski branci (Slovak Recruits) and similar organisations is simply not right, thinks Opposition MP Milan Krajniak (We Are Family), adding that the army should instead motivate the people from these organisations to become soldiers in reserve. tz