On 13 July 2016, the Ministers for Education, Science, Research and for Sport and Culture, Peter Plavčan and Marek Maďarič, presented the priorities of the Slovak Presidency in regards to Sport, Education and Culture to the CULT Committee of the EU Parliament.

Marek Maďarič first addressed the follow-up of the revision of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and underlined the protection of minors as one of the top priorities of the Slovak Presidency. He added that the Slovak Presidency will lead the negotiations in the coming months and will present a progress report at the Council meeting in November.

Additionally, he pointed out that the Slovak Presidency's main focus within the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council will be on fostering and developing talents by introducing attractive approaches concerning the inclusion of children, working with high-achievers as well as the identification of special talents of children.

Among the other priorities during the Agenda, Plavčan also referred to the evaluation of the second EU Work Plan on Sport, as well as the possible drafting of a third one.

The issue of doping is also foreseen as one of the topics to be discussed during the second edition of the European Week of Sport (10-16 September 2016), which will be organised by the EU Commission. Commissioner Navracsics will officially open the Week during a starting event, which will be organised in Košice, Slovakia, on 10 September 2016.

On a final note, Peter Plavčan, informed that the formal Sports Ministers Council meeting will take place on 21-22 November 2016, during which the sport directors will discuss the results of the priorities of the Slovakian Presidency.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Videoportal for the CULT Committee Meeting on the Priorities of the Slovak Presidency of the EU