US embassy cable - 04BRATISLAVA823

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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