Slovakia Takes over Annual Presidency of Austerlitz Format

Bratislava, 1 July (TASR) - Slovakia on Monday (30 June) assumed the rotating annual presidency of the Austerlitz Format (S3: Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia) which will last until 30 June 2026, Foreign Ministry's communications department told TASR on Tuesday, adding that the main priorities will be energy security, cooperation in European affairs and the EU's enlargement to include the Western Balkan countries, as well as the development of transport infrastructure, digital transformation and development cooperation. This is the fourth presidency for Slovakia in this grouping, which was taken over from the Czech Republic by Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) last week in the form of a traditional relay baton. "The priority of the Slovak presidency is above all to promote cooperation in key areas of common interest, where we agree and have a strong interest in promoting the same positions for the benefit of our citizens. In this case, we are focusing on strengthening energy security, the enlargement of the European Union, the development of cross-border transport infrastructure and respect for the principles of international law," said Blanar. Slovakia will also focus on joint engagement in European affairs while strengthening development cooperation and digital transformation. The work plan of the Austerlitz Format for 2025-2026 has been agreed by all three countries. The Austerlitz format aims to strengthen regional cooperation between the three Central European countries for the benefit of their populations, to stimulate new projects in areas of common interest and to promote the exchange of information. The grouping has created a stable platform for regional cooperation over the past ten years, according to Blanar. "Together, we've been able to respond to challenges in the Central European area and at the same time provide our assistance beyond the borders of Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria," said the Slovak chief diplomat, highlighting in particular the modernisation of the rail link between the capitals - Prague, Bratislava and Vienna - in the context of support for improving transport infrastructure. Other important steps are also being taken in the field of development cooperation. am