President wants to Visit All Neighbouring Countries, Including Ukraine

(RTVS, 'O 5 minut 12', June 16) I'm planning to visit all neighbouring countries, including Ukraine, President Peter Pellegrini stated on RTVS's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday, reiterating that he'll visit the Czech Republic first. The head of state repeatedly pointed out the importance of Slovakia's membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. "One ensures our economic boom, freedom of movement, we have a common currency. ... And Slovakia is too small to be able to defend itself against possible aggression, which is why the NATO gives us a protective umbrella that makes us feel more secure. This is how it must remain in the future from a geopolitical point of view," he noted. With regard to the domestic political situation, Pellegrini declared that he'll be a non-partisan president and will be able to rise above the interests of the Voice-SD party he founded. "When making decisions, I won't favour nominees just because they come from the party I was in," he said, adding that he sees political experience as an advantage. Pellegrini described his relationship with Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) as fair. "We're able to communicate about the things that Slovakia is facing. I'm not a person who carries any resentment or anger," he stressed. am