Thematic priorities on the EU level have included cohesion policy, energy, EU enlargement, and the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP). Slovak diplomacy has seen regional groupings – above all the Visegrad format – as the most effective way of pursuing its policy preferences. As the only eurozone member in the Visegrad Group (V4), Slovakia remains a reliable if somewhat passive supporter of deeper European integration, supporting a fiscally responsible approach. This policy course reflects a broad pro-European consensus among relevant political actors in Bratislava and continued public support for EU and eurozone membership. Going forward, Slovakia faces steep structural challenges (high unemployment, regional disparities, social exclusion of Roma), and needs to recalibrate its export-led and industry-heavy growth model toward higher added value and innovation.
Slovakia in the EU
An Unexpected Success Story?
Slovakia has emerged as an unlikely success story of the 2004 EU enlargement. The country’s first decade as a member state was marked by robust growth – spurred by pro-market reforms of the early 2000s – and relative economic resilience and political stability during the global economic crisis.
Bibliographic data
Nič, Milan, Marek Slobodník, and Michal Šimečka. “Slovakia in the EU.” May 2014.DGAPanalyse 6, May 10, 2014, 20 pp.
Themen & Regionen
Senior Research Fellow, Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russ…
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