PRESS "In less than one month -- on May 1 -- the European Union will jump from 15 nations to 25 nations. At first glance, this does not seem that significant, especially since the 10 accession nations will add only 5 percent to the EU's GDP. But the real impact of EU enlargement may be to tip the scales away from the dying welfare states of Old Europe." Daniel J. MITCHELL Chief Expert on Tax Policy and the Economy, The Heritage Foundation, USA (extract from the article written for the TCS) Press release from 11. March 2004 Published articles (foreign press): TCS - Tech Central Station, 8 April 2004 The Constitution Europe Needs Article written by Daniel J. Mitchell, one of conference speakers Hospodářské noviny (Czech economic daily), 25 March 2004 Cizina Slovensko za reformu chválí. Ale co řeknou Slováci? Article about economic reforms in Slovakia (in Czech language) Hospodářské noviny (Czech economic daily), 25 March 2004 Počítali jsme s tím, že většina lidí bude proti nám Interview with Slovak Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš (in Czech language) The Washington Times (US daily) 23 March 2004 An emerging wider Europe TempletonThorp, 22 March 2004 FM Ivan Miklos: Tax Reform Attractive For Investors EUbusiness, 21 March 2004 New Europe to give reform lessons to Old Article written by AFP (Agence France-Presse) Czech Happenings, 19 March 2004 Czechs could be inspired by Slovakia's radical reforms - Sobotka Article written by CTK (Czech Press Agency) Published articles (Slovak press): Domino Fórum (Slovak journal weekly), 14 April 2004 Povzbudivý hlas Article on fee-based access (in Slovak language) Trend (Slovak economic journal, weekly), 25 March 2004 Budúci členovia rozprúdili debatu o rozpočte EÚ (in Slovak language) Domino fórum (Slovak journal weekly), 24 March 2004 on-line Vladimír Zlacký Article on fee-based access (in Slovak language) SME (Slovak daily), 20 March 2004 Slovenské reformy priťahujú (in Slovak language) SME (Slovak daily), 20 March 2004 Santer: Prinesiete Európe ducha konkurencie Interview with former President of the European Commission Jacques Santer (in Slovak language) SME (Slovak daily), 19 March 2004 Sobotka: Problém je dočasný Interview with Czech Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (in Slovak language) Hospodárske noviny (Slovak economic daily), 19 March 2004 Zavádzanie eura nie sú žiadne preteky (in Slovak language) Slovak spectator (Slovakia's English language newspaper), 19 March 2004 OECD satisfied with Slovakia's economic performance eTrend (web server of Trend), 18 March 2004 Investori podľa experta OECD preferujú krajiny s nižšími daňami (in Slovak language) HNonline (web server of Hospodarske noviny), 18 March 2004 Employment in Slovakia Grew by 1.8 Percent in 2003, Claims Minister www.slovensko.com (Slovakia Daily Magazine), 18 March 2004 Bratislava Hosts Two International Conference on EU Reforms   PHOTOGALLERY The conference started with some short presentations during the plenary meeting. The panel discussions followed shortly after: Mr. Turner gave his presentation on the social welfare reform in USA and its implications for Slovakia (Panel 1). Slovak Finance Minister Mr. Miklos explained principles of the Slovak tax reform in Panel 2. Regulatory and business environment was discussed in Panel 3. The second block of panels was due after the coffee break - with corporate restructuring and governance as the main topic in Panel 4. Panel 5 highlighted the institutional and political aspects of reform preparation and implementation. Ms. Ovesny-Straka chaired Panel 6 about the investment opportunities in the new EU member countries. During the lunch-break, Mr. Miklos and Mr. Koromzay met with journalists and presented the latest OECD Economic Survey of the Slovak Republic - praising the reform process in Slovakia. In the afternoon Mr. Bokros chaired the panel where the Finance Ministers (Mr. Mramor from Slovenia and Mr. Miklos from Slovakia) presented their views of the reform process in Europe. The exchange of opinions took place behind the round table. The INEKO Director Mr. Jurzyca (left) and Slovak Finance Minister Mr. Miklos get ready for the reception. Mr. Bokros talking jokes...The working atmosphere eased in the evening. Finally, the Finance Ministers from acceding countries gave a press conference on Friday (19 March).