STRENGTHENING TRANSATLANTIC ECONOMIC RELATIONS

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000823

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN ETRD AMGT BEXP KPAO LO
SUBJECT: STRENGTHENING TRANSATLANTIC ECONOMIC RELATIONS

REF: STATE 167813

Sensitive but unclassified - handle accordingly


1. (SBU) Promoting transatlantic economic ties has been a
dominant theme at Embassy Bratislava for several years. As
a result of the GOS's sweeping economic reforms and
improving investment climate, trade and investment between
our two countries are up markedly. Post has hosted large
business conferences in each of the past three years with
attendance of dozens of American and European companies as
well as several USG and GOS officials. The AmCham, Slovak
business organizations, and the Center for Strategic and
International Studies have all been active in promoting
closer economic cooperation.


2. (SBU) Per ref A, post would like to suggest the following
activities to further the cause of strengthening
transatlantic economic ties.

a) Provide speakers for AmCham events. The AmCham in
Slovakia welcomes USG, GOS and other stakeholder speakers at
its (well-attended) breakfast meetings to discuss
improving/expanding transatlantic economic relations. It
has also been in discussions with the AmChams in Prague and
Budapest to sponsor the trip of a high profile business
leader to discuss these same issues. Reportedly, the three
AmChams have the funding available to pay for this.

b) Provide speakers to high school and universities.
Emboffs have been invited to be guest speakers by two local
business schools to discuss transatlantic business issues.

c) Organize/participate in conferences. Post is in
discussions with Embassy Warsaw to organize a regional
conference for the pharmaceutical industry to combat IPR
violations and other inequities that are prevalent in
Central Europe.

d) Emboffs have been invited to be presenters at the 2005
Bratislava Automotive Business Conference.

3.(U) Outside of ref A's guidelines, post also foresees
participation, or recommends USG participation in the
following events.

e) Foreign Minister Kukan plans to travel to Los Angeles in
November for the opening of the Slovak Consulate. He
reportedly wants to promote business ties during his trip.

f) Prime Minister Dzurinda plans to visit California in 2005
to promote business ties between Slovakia and the U.S.


4. (U) Post's POCs are Econoff David Nobles and PAO Barbara
Zigli.
Weiser


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