SUMMARY - Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 10 p.m.

Bratislava, May 1 (TASR) - A more decisive democratic Europe is needed, one prepared to face current security and environmental threats, said European Parliament Vice-President and Progressive Slovakia (PS) presidium member Martin Hojsik on Thursday, May 1, marking the 21st anniversary of Slovakia joining the EU, adding that the EU must become a true global power, ready for expansion towards Ukraine and the Western Balkans,. https://etasr.sk/article/22006642 Bratislava, May 1 (TASR) - The biggest challenges for the EU include Russia and China, with a specific challenge posed by the customs and trade threats from the US conflict with the rest of the world, said MP Juraj Krupa from Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party, on the 21st anniversary of Slovakia joining the EU, adding that to address these challenges, the Union must strengthen its competitiveness and defence capabilities, while also calling for the removal of the veto in foreign and security policy matters. https://etasr.sk/article/22006909 Bratislava, May 1 (TASR) - Labour Day, celebrated on May 1, is an "extremely important and significant" national holiday, stated Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) in a speech shared on social media from the Government Office in Bratislava. https://etasr.sk/article/22006992 Bratislava, May 1 (TASR) - The Slovak government will continue to assert and defend Slovakia's national interests while also upholding the founding values of the European Union (EU), stated Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) on Wednesday, on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of Slovakia joining the EU (May 1). https://etasr.sk/article/22007147 Bratislava, May 1 (TASR) - On the 21st anniversary of Slovakia joining the EU, KDH leader Milan Majersky stated that EU membership guarantees security, prosperity, democracy, and freedom, but criticised government officials for Slovakia not playing a more active role in shaping European policies. https://etasr.sk/article/22007169 Bratislava, May 1 (TASR) - The biggest challenge the EU is facing is strengthening its resilience to global crises, the 'Slovakia' party representatives stated, calling for reforms that enable swift responses while preserving member state solidarity, defending the veto right without paralysing decision-making, and prioritising sovereignty and collective defence. https://etasr.sk/article/22007214 Bratislava, May 1 (TASR) - Marking the 21st anniversary of Slovakia joining the EU, the European Commission's (EC) Representation in Slovakia highlighted that quality of life has significantly improved thanks to EU funds supporting economic growth and public investment, adding that a December Eurobarometer survey showed that 53 percent of Slovaks trust the EU and two-thirds feel connected to it. https://etasr.sk/article/22007308 Humenne, May 1 (TASR) - The energy supply issue at the industrial park in Humenne (Presov region), which threatened the loss of hundreds of jobs at local companies, has been resolved following the signing of a contract for the rental of heating equipment between Chemes Industrial Park and MH Teplarensky Holding, a company under the Economy Ministry, TASR learnt from Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) on Thursday. https://etasr.sk/article/22007414 Presov, May 1 (TASR) - The Labour Ministry will launch a new employment support programme called 'Right to First Employment 2', Labour Minister Erik Tomas stated at a Voice-SD briefing in Precov on Thursday. https://etasr.sk/article/22007654 NOTICE: If you click on the link or copy it into the search window, the browser will display the full text of the message in the new e-TASR client zone. If you have any questions, please contact obchod@tasr.sk. lin