The opposition PS reproaches the Slovak government for not taking a clear stance in the dispute between the USA and the EU
Bratislava – The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) criticizes the Slovak government for inaction in foreign policy. It criticizes Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) for not taking a clear stance on the latest decisions of the United States regarding Greenland and the EU. PS representatives announced this at a Monday press conference, reports TASR.
The leader of the PS movement Michal Šimečka pointed to the crisis between the USA and the European Union, which, according to him, may have a direct impact on the security and economy of Slovakia. He also drew attention to the threat by US President Donald Trump to impose import tariffs on eight European countries, including EU member states, until the issue of the acquisition of Greenland by the United States is resolved.
According to Šimečka, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Affairs Minister should already have taken a position on these statements. Šimečka described the situation as a state of maximum political alert. According to him, the Prime Minister should also already have informed the public about the meeting with Trump in the USA in Florida.
“The Slovak public at this stage knows nothing about the parameters of that agreement on the construction of a nuclear reactor, but also knows nothing about what took place at the meeting between Prime Minister Fico and President Trump. Whether the Slovak Prime Minister conveyed to the American President our interests, the interests of the EU, whether he condemned the American intervention in Venezuela or the plans to occupy Greenland, whether he told him that a trade war would be counterproductive, whether he stood up for the principles of international law,” Šimečka noted.
Member of the PS presidium Ivan Korčok pointed out that even before the trip to the USA, the Prime Minister should have clearly defined the goals of the visit. He considers this, as well as the failure to inform about the meeting, a failure towards partners. He also reproaches Fico for not reacting immediately to Trump’s threats about introducing tariffs. In such a situation, according to PS, it would also be appropriate to convene the Security Council of the Slovak Republic.
Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Tomáš Valášek (PS) pointed out that a “normal” government would in this case be negotiating with partners about the possibility of losing the USA as an ally. According to him, it should also consider higher investments in defense.
Foreign Affairs Chief Juraj Blanár declared that Slovakia respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another state and therefore, based on the application of the same rules and principles of international law, considers Greenland to be part of Denmark, just as it considers Crimea to be part of Ukraine and Kosovo to be part of Serbia.
Last Saturday, Trump threatened that from 1 February he would impose a ten percent import tariff on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland. The tariff is to remain in force until the issue of the acquisition of Greenland by the United States is resolved. The tariff may increase to as much as 25 percent from 1 June. (19 January)
“We do not know whether the Slovak Prime Minister conveyed to the American President our interests, the interests of the EU, whether he condemned the American intervention in Venezuela or the plans to occupy Greenland, whether he told him that a trade war would be counterproductive.” Michal Šimečka.
