Slovakia
Visegrad leaders stand united at Prague summit
V4 plus Austria agree on issues such as migration, border security and enlargement, but differences arise over nuclear energy as a solution to climate crisis.
EU outlines €100bn plan to support coal regions' transition to climate neutrality
Coal producing regions such as those in Poland and Czechia stand to benefit from the Just Transition Mechanism, a tool Brussels hopes will mobilise up to €100bn to ease the move away from coal as a source of energy.
OUTLOOK 2020 Slovakia
A growth deceleration is forecast in Slovakia, where the automotive industry and other sectors face weaker external demand that will negatively impact exports.
CAPITAL ECONOMICS: CEE growth comes off the boil in 2019, but loose money and strong demand will bolster growth in 2020
The European Commission’s batch of Economic Sentiment Indicators (ESIs) fell sharply in December, although they remain consistent with regional GDP growth holding steady at around 3.6% y/y in Q4. Robust domestic demand should help to cushion the blow
Mayors of Visegrad countries pledge to work together in Pact of Free Cities
The four V4 capitals are all run by leftist-liberal politicians in opposition to their national governments. They pledged to lobby for more direct funding from the EU, and promote tolerance and liberal values.