International cooperation

SPORT

Tasks in the field of international cooperation arise primarily from international contractual documents related to the field of sport and the membership of the Slovak Republic in the European Union, the Council of Europe, UNESCO and the Visegrad Four (V4). The Sports Section coordinates the activities of international cooperation in the field of sport at the national level, participates in the preparation and evaluation of the fulfilment of bilateral governmental and departmental contractual documents in the field of sport and represents the Ministry in the bodies of the EU and the Council of Europe that have the subject matter of sport.

Council of Europe and sport

Anti-Doping Convention – entered into force for Slovakia in 1993
The European Convention on Spectator Violence and Restraint during Sports Events and Especially at Football Matches – entered into force for the Slovak Republic in 1993
Council of Europe Convention on Manipulation of Sports Competitions – Slovakia signed the convention in 2018, the convention for Slovakia has not yet entered into force

Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)14 of the Committee of Ministers to Member States on the general principles of due process applicable to anti-doping procedures in sport, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 20 April 2022

The European Union and sport

European Union Work Plan for Sport

In its decision-making processes, the European Union focuses on developing recommendations in the field of sport, which are primarily aimed at developing the European dimension of sport and its common European values.

The general framework of the European Union's priorities and objectives for the development of sport is set out in the European Commission's concept paper Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions "Developing the European Dimension in Sport". More detailed objectives and priorities, as well as methods and forms of work for a specific period, are elaborated in the European Union Work Plan for Sport. The Work Plan, as well as other EU documents in the field of sport (conclusions and recommendations), are prepared at meetings of the Council of the EU's Working Party on Sport, which are regularly attended by representatives of the EU Member States' administrations responsible for sport. The EU Work Plan for Sport is the most important document of European sport policy. The European Union Work Plan for Sport (01.01.2021 – 30.06.2024) is currently in force.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/SK/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.C_.2020.419.01.0001.01.SLK&toc=OJ%3AC%3A2020%3A419%3ATOC

Approved conclusions, recommendations and resolutions of the Council of the EU

The EU Council's Working Party on Sport is involved in the preparation of key documents on the EU's common sport policy, in particular conclusions and recommendations, which are subsequently approved at meetings of the EU Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council. The Council of the EU is made up of ministers responsible for the sport of the EU member states. Together with the European Parliament, the Council of the EU has essential decision-making powers, especially in approving common priorities, strategic goals, but also the budget for the development of sport within the EU.

• EU Council conclusions on women and equality in sport (2023)
• EU Council Resolution on the review of the representation of EU Member States in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Foundation Council and the coordination of Member States' positions ahead of WADA meetings (2023)
• EU Council conclusions on sustainable and accessible sport infrastructure (2022)
• EU Council Conclusions on Sport and physical activity, a promising factor that can contribute to behavioural change and sustainable development (2022)

• EU Council conclusions on lifelong physical activity (2021)
• EU Council Resolution on key elements of the European Sport Model (2021)
• EU Council conclusions on sport innovation (2021)
• EU Council Resolution on the EU Work Plan for Sport 2021-2024 (2020)
• EU Council Conclusions on promoting cross-sectoral cooperation in favour of sport and physical activity in society (2020)

• EU Council conclusions on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery of the sport sector (2020)
• Council of the EU Conclusions on empowering coaches by improving opportunities to acquire skills and competences (2020)
• EU Council conclusions on the fight against corruption in sport (2019)
• EU Council conclusions on the protection of children in sport (2019)
• EU Council conclusions on access to sport for persons with disabilities (2019)
• EU Council conclusions on the economic dimension of sport and its socio-economic benefits (2018)
• EU Council conclusions on promoting common EU values through sport (2018)

Erasmus+ programme for sport