EU Energy Regulation: The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against Slovakia and several other countries over restrictive mandatory authorisation or certification rules for energy installation and construction services, warning that such barriers can distort the internal market. Housing Market: Eurostat data shows house prices and rents rising across the EU in early 2026; Slovakia recorded one of the biggest annual jumps in house prices (+14.4%). Slovak Energy Milestone: Slovenské elektrárne has started loading nuclear fuel into Mochovce Unit 4, moving the plant into final commissioning; once online, nuclear could cover about 77.5% of Slovakia’s electricity. Industrial & Security Policy: President Peter Pellegrini says NATO’s Ankara summit was constructive, with allies discussing higher defence spending and the need for industrial capacity to absorb it. Trade Watch: Slovakia’s foreign trade surplus rose to €580.6m in May as exports grew faster than imports, with mineral fuels driving the result. Retail & Food Supply Chains: Tesco is reportedly considering selling its Central Europe operations (Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia), while Lidl is running a major Irish beef promotion across 26 countries, ending in Slovakia at the end of July. Materials & Manufacturing Inputs: Omya expanded its distribution partnership with EMS-GRIVORY into the UK and Ireland for high-performance polyamides used in automotive, electronics and industrial applications. Cyber Risk: ESET’s H1 2026 threat report highlights growing use of AI in attacks, including AI-themed phishing and malicious AI skills.