NATO20: PS MP Valasek: Slovakia Has Become Firm Part of West by Joining NATO

Bratislava, March 29 (TASR) - By joining NATO, Slovakia has become a firm part of the West, Progressive Slovakia (PS) MP and former Slovak ambassador to NATO Tomas Valasek wrote on Facebook on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Slovakia's accession to NATO on Friday. "I know from my own experience that although the negotiations weren't always easy, never in the history of our region have countries of our size had such an influence on events in Europe as they have via NATO [and the EU]. An alliance in which 32 members guarantee each other's security makes them much stronger than if they were defending themselves alone," said Valasek, adding that this is even more true for small countries such as Slovakia. Valasek also called the story of Slovakia's membership of NATO a story of prosperity. "Investors see that Slovakia is a safe country, and so they aren't afraid to move production here and create jobs. What would Ukraine or Moldova give for similar guarantees, how much more prosperous would they be thanks to them?" asked Valasek. The MP thanked those who have contributed to membership of the Alliance. "Although the current government questions our direction and fraternises with a criminal regime that didn't hesitate to attack a neighbouring country, even it doesn't dare to publicly question the importance of our membership of the Alliance. We are NATO whether they like it or not," he remarked. Meanwhile, PS leader Michal Simecka called for the support of politicians who understand that the future of Slovakia lies in the EU and NATO and for them to behave accordingly. zel/df