Caputova Calls on Slovaks to Vote in European Parliament Election (2)

Brussels/Bratislava, April 10 (TASR-correspondent) - Slovaks should exercise their franchise and participate in the European Parliament election in early June, President Zuzana Caputova stated on Wednesday in Brussels after meeting with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and several Slovak MEPs. TASR learnt the news from its special correspondent in Brussels. Outgoing President Caputova is on a farewell visit to Brussels. Before coming to the European Parliament for a visit, she also met President of the European Council Charles Michel and Slovak employees working for European institutions. Caputova pointed out that her visit also poses an opportunity to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Slovakia joining the EU. According to the president, EU membership is quite important for countries such as Slovakia, as shown in recent years during several crisis, from the Covid-19 pandemic up to the war in Ukraine and economic crises. These challenges have put the EU to the test and proved that it's existence is worthwhile and beneficial. "We hear at home a lot about dictation from Brussels, but I'd like to underline also from this place that Brussels is us. We have an opportunity to participate in the shaping of a joint vision for the European community, the way we never could back at times when we weren't members," she claimed. Caputova pointed out that many link the EU only with financial benefits, but it is also a community of values "that protect us and provide tangible benefits to our citizens". Because of this, Caputova called on the Slovak people to take part in the European Parliament election on June 8. As for her upcoming meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Caputova claimed that she won't broach potential freezing of EU Funds for Slovakia over concerns about the rule of law violations in Slovakia, which the European Commission has hinted at several times and also stated in a letter sent to Bratislava. "This is a topic that's being addressed in a dialogue between the Slovak government and the European Commission. I know that they're in an intense contact and hope that this dialogue will lead to a situation that won't be to the detriment of our people," added Caputova. She emphasised that she finds absurd the statement by Prime Minister Robert Fico, according to whom Slovakia might lose its EU funds because Ivan Korcok has lost the presidential election. mf/mcs/zel