J. Blanár: In the European Union, we raise issues to protect the Slovak economy
Bratislava – The economic topics that Slovakia raises in the European Union (EU) are not aimed at disrupting it, but at protecting our economy and ultimately helping the Union itself. This was stated by Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) on TASR TV on Wednesday.
Juraj Blanár responded to the opposition’s criticism of Slovakia’s stance on the upcoming 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia. Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) linked the issue of Slovak support for this package with addressing economic topics that he considers important for Slovakia during a meeting with European Council President António Costa on September 11.
“What was previously adopted here, whether it was the Green Deal or an activist approach to disconnecting from energy sources, harms the entire European Union because we are losing competitiveness,” claims Blanár. According to him, Slovakia’s goal is to start negotiations on these topics. “It is necessary to open these topics, and we are doing so because we must protect our economy. We must consolidate due to the irresponsible behavior of previous governments, and now, when expensive energy comes to us, how will we explain it to the people?” Blanár asked.
He added that if the competitiveness of the European Union declines, it will reflect on the living standards of its inhabitants. The President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen mentioned, according to him, the renaissance of nuclear energy in her assessment of the state of the Union. “When we went to build additional blocks in Mochovce, we were criticized. Today they realize that it cannot be done without nuclear energy,” Blanár pointed out.
The September negotiations with the Ukrainian side also had an important economic dimension, according to him. At a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Minister Andriy Sybih, they discussed, among other things, the fulfillment of projects included in the joint roadmap. The minister also positively evaluates the agreement on the joint meeting of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments, which is to take place in October.
The intergovernmental consultations of the Czech and Slovak cabinets are currently suspended, but Blanár is convinced that mutual cooperation continues and can be resumed after the October elections in the Czech Republic. “We respect the will of the voters in the Czech Republic; whoever they choose, we will negotiate with them,” he said.
On the occasion of the significant global topic of the anniversary of the end of World War II, Slovak constitutional officials undertook several foreign trips. President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini and Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Richard Raši (Hlas-SD) visited Japan, and Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) participated in celebrations in Beijing. Blanár reminded that the stance of countries in the global south, including China, will be important in efforts to end the armed conflict in Ukraine. “It was a mistake that no top EU officials went there,” said the minister. According to him, Prime Minister Fico’s trip to Beijing was planned long in advance, and the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately after returning from China was initiated by a request from the Ukrainian side shortly before this trip. (September 17)
“What was previously adopted here, whether it was the Green Deal or an activist approach to disconnecting from energy sources, harms the entire European Union because we are losing competitiveness.” Juraj Blanár
