Premier: Politicians Should Seek Common Ground on Expert Issues

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', October 6) Speaking on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated that the coalition and the opposition should seek a common path in calming society on expert issues, such was the case, for example, at the meeting on consolidation, adding that society needs to be calmed down. "The political hatred is so great that it doesn't work to put on the table the topic of 'let's be friends now'. ... For me, as a person with 32 years of political experience, reconciliation round tables are ridiculous. It brings nothing," stressed Fico, adding that the public needs to be shown that politicians know how to discuss things that are important and necessary. The premier also commented on defence spending. Slovakia, which is part of NATO, is fulfilling its obligation to allocate 2 percent of its GDP to defence. But, he said, the country won't go down the path of increasing this defence spending. The ministry doesn't only have to buy bullets and weapons from this spending, but can also use it on civilian projects such as building a hospital in Presov or reconstructing bridges, said Fico. "The Defence Ministry is ready to provide an additional €300 million for objectives that are on the one hand military, but at the same time can serve civilian purposes well," pointed out Fico. am