Blanar: Austerlitz Format Important Cooperation Organisation for Slovakia

Bratislava, 29 January (TASR) - The Austerlitz Format is an important cooperation format for Slovakia, it is specific proof of how pragmatic regional cooperation can produce positive improvements to the lives of the people in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria, while also providing a platform for coordination and effective solutions to common challenges, Slovakia's chief diplomat Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) stated on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the setting up of the Austerlitz Format (S3), TASR was told by the Foreign Ministry's communications department on Thursday. "That's why our current S3 presidency focuses on seven key areas, including high-priority areas such as energy security, competitiveness, improvement of transport infrastructure, but also development cooperation and digital transformation," said the Slovak foreign minister. According to him, the goal of Slovak leadership in S3 is to support projects that will have a positive impact on the lives of Slovaks, Czechs, and Austrians, with a special emphasis on border areas. "Together, we're fulfilling the key mission of the Austerlitz Format as a stable and practical tool for regional dialogue in Central Europe, based on geographical proximity and our strong historical, economic, and interpersonal ties," added Blanar. According to the minister, an example of successful Austerlitz cooperation is the modernisation of the railway connection between the capitals of Prague, Bratislava, and Vienna, as well as activities in the field of development cooperation, such as assistance in Georgia with the sustainable development project for the protected area of Aragvi and local communities, and the project for the environmentally friendly processing of medical waste in Lebanon. am