The Slavkov format (S3) is an intergovernmental cooperation format of three Central European neighbouring and historically linked states – the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Austria – that brings together several areas with the potential for joint initiatives.
The name comes from Slavkov u Brna (German: Austerlitz), a town in the South Moravian Region in the Czech Republic where on 29 January 2015 the first meeting of the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and the Chancellor of the Republic of Austria took place. During the meeting the Slavkov Declaration was also signed.
The intention was to create a platform for regional cooperation, which would help stimulate new projects in sectorial areas of common interest, as well as exchange of information and coordination of positions (especially with regard to the current EU agenda) with aim of strengthening mutual ties for the benefit of the three states, their citizens, the region as well as the whole EU.
Inward activities are always coordinated by one of the three participating states on a rotating basis for one year (from July to June of the following year).
On 1 July 2023, Austria took over the S3 rotating leadership from Slovakia.
The S3 work plan for 2023-2024 was adopted at the S3 national coordinators (State Secretaries of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs) meeting on 12 July 2023 in Rust, Austria. It includes the following areas of cooperation:
- energy transition and energy security,
- international law,
- EU enlargement,
- Western Balkans,
- European affairs,
- digital transformation,
- transport,
- development cooperation.