The discussions at the seventh annual CEPA forum will be focused on security issues in the transatlantic area in the light of the current frosty relations with Russia, the ministry press department informed the TASR newswire on September 30. Representatives of central and eastern European governments will meet representatives of the US Government and non-governmental organisations to discuss the strategic and political potential of countries in CE Europe.
The agenda also features topics regarding preparations for a NATO summit to be held in Warsaw in July 2016. The summit will deal with the options for diversifying supply sources and routes used by energy carriers to Europe, as well as the ability of democratic countries to cope with an intensifying penetration of unwanted propaganda and its impact on domestic political and social developments.
During meetings with representatives of the US‘ National Security Council and the US Department of State, Slobodník will discuss current issues in bilateral relations, the situation in Europe, developments in Ukraine, relations with Russia and also the status of negotiations regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the USA. Also on the agenda are the causes and consequences of the humanitarian situation linked to the extraordinary increase in the influx of refugees into Europe.
Slobodník will also visit an innovation centre in Germantown, Maryland, that focuses on biotechnology, where he will discuss opportunities for cooperation with Slovak innovation companies and start-ups and their effective inclusion in the economic ecosystem.