| WARSAW Retirement age reform sparks controversy over special treatment of dancers. The Polish Senate, the upper chamber of the parliament, passed a controversial bill on 13 March that lowers the retirement age for professional ballet dancers. The new law makes them the only occupational group in Poland eligible for pensions at 40 for women and 45 for men. The new regulations allow for early retirement with a guaranteed minimum pension. It was approved by a majority of 82 votes in the 100-seat Senate and will now move to the Sejm, the lower parliamentary chamber, for consideration. Restrictions apply: The changes apply exclusively to ballet dancers and come with certain restrictions. To qualify for early retirement, dancers must hold the title of professional ballet dancer and have at least 20 years of experience in the profession. The proposal to lower the retirement age for ballet dancers stems from the recognition that their profession is exceptionally physically demanding. In addition, more than ten years after early retirement for dancers was eliminated, the profession has fallen into crisis, according to the bill's authors, who also emphasised that ballet dancers are a small professional group in Poland - under 440 people in 2023. Reactions: The Ministry of Family and Social Policy has criticised the bill, arguing that the current bridge pension system, which allows women to retire at 55 and men at 60, is sufficient. Deputy Family Minister Sebastian Gajewski contends that lowering the retirement age further would be a form of privilege. Instead of lowering the retirement age, the ministry proposes professional retraining programs for dancers who are ending their careers. The retirement age for most professions in Poland is currently 60 for women and 65 for men, and there are no plans to change it for now. (Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | Euractiv.pl)
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BUDAPEST Czech troops should join future peace mission in Ukraine, president says. Czech President Petr Pavel believes Czech forces should be part of any future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine once a peace agreement is reached. “If a decision is made to create such a joint military force, the Czech Republic will be part of it,” Pavel said in an interview published on Saturday (22 March) by Ukrainian website Yevropeyska Pravda. Speaking in Kyiv after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Pavel cautioned it was still too early to discuss concrete Czech involvement. However, he stressed that the country is already contributing to the “coalition of the willing,” a group of states exploring the idea. Asked about scepticism voiced in Prague by some other Czech politicians, Pavel responded, “Different politicians may have different opinions, but if there is a strong group of European nations willing to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, I am firmly convinced that the Czech Republic should be among them.” (Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)
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BRATISLAVA
Slovakia tightens measures amid foot-and-mouth disease. Over the weekend, the Slovak government confirmed veterinary authority measures aimed at preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč (Smer-SD/NI) announced. Slovakia has introduced several measures to curb the outbreak, including the closure of all zoos nationwide. In the Komárno and Dunajská Streda regions, access to forests has also been restricted. The disease was confirmed on Friday in cattle farms in three southern Slovak villages - Medveďov, Ňárad, and Baka - all in the Dunajská Streda district. So far, the virus has not spread beyond these locations. Culling operations underway: Culling operations are currently underway at one of the affected farms, and vaccination using doses from Germany is in progress to help contain the outbreak. A team of experts from Brussels will arrive in Slovakia to assist in managing the situation. Slovakia has also received material aid from neighbouring countries - Czechia has provided euthanasia equipment, while Hungary will lend vehicles. Minister Takáč estimates the damages at €8 million and plans to seek financial compensation. He is set to discuss funding options on Monday in Brussels with the EU commissioner and the Hungarian minister. Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD/NI) stated on Facebook on Sunday that the government is already looking for financial resources, both domestically and internationally, to support affected farmers in rebuilding their herds. Foot-and-mouth disease primarily affects cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, spreading rapidly within herds. According to the government, the disease likely reached Slovakia via airborne transmission from Hungary. The country had been free of foot-and-mouth disease for nearly 50 years before this outbreak. The Slovak opposition has criticised the government’s slow response to the outbreak. (Natália Silenská | Euractiv.sk) | 
