GUE/NGL ‘Study Days’ to Slovakia and Czech Republic to explore energy security and food safety

With Slovakia assuming the EU presidency for the second half of this year, GUE/NGL group in the European Parliament has organised its ‘study days’ in Bratislava as well as an afternoon in Rakvice, in neighbouring Czech Republic on 20-21 September 2016.

The GUE/NGL study days are organised twice a year in the member state holding the EU Presidency with the purpose of understanding local perspectives on pressing issues. 

Amongst the themes explored during this two-day event are energy security, renewables, farming, food safety and consumer protection.

GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer and Czech MEP Jiří Maštálka will welcome delegates and guests at 09h00 on Tuesday 20th at the Crowne Plaza Bratislava. This will be followed by a morning of seminars hosted by the group on Energy Security for gas and ETS (Emissions Trading System). Guest speakers include representatives from Slovakia’s Ministry of Economy and Ministry of the Environment. The Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union will also be making a video statement.

The theme continues on Tuesday afternoon at 14h00 with discussions and debates on renewables and energy security – the latter coming at a critical time for Europe and the challenges it faces at times of crisis. Slovak and Czech experts will be joining GUE/NGL MEPs for these seminars.

Day 1’s programme is rounded off with a visit to the war memorial and cemetery at Slavín where Soviet troops killed during World War II are buried.  

The second day of the event kicks off with a debate led by Kateřina Konečná MEP on the CETA economic and trade agreement between the EU and Canada.

Just before lunch, there will a 75-minute presentation and discussion on consumer protection and food safety and how this affects Slovakia, with guests from Slovakia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Economy.

To get a taste of the challenges facing the Czech Republic’s agricultural sector and the food safety standards in place, a visit to Rakvice will take place on Wednesday afternoon and will round off the two-day event.

 

Gabi Zimmer Press Contact:
André Seubert: andre.seubert@ep.europa.eu

 

GUE/NGL Press Contact:
Ben Leung  +32 22 83 2299 / +32 (0) 470 880 965
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL)
European Parliamentary Group
www.guengl.eu