PS: First Year of Current Coalition Was One of Shame in Area of Defence

Bratislava, October 28 (TASR) - The current government's first year in office in the field of defence and foreign policy was one of shame, opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) representatives stated at a news conference on Monday, criticising the government's foreign-policy actions and investments in the defence of the state. "In addition to high costs and chaos, this governing hodge-podge of Robert Fico has also brought us foreign-political shame, isolation and the weakening of our defensive capabilities," stated MP and PS leader Michal Simecka. MP Tomas Valasek (PS) thinks that the way in which Slovakia is pursuing its foreign policy has brought shame on the country. He mentioned the fact that the government requested help from the European Commission in connection with limited oil supplies from Russia. However, Slovakia had no problem with that, stated Valasek. Valasek also recalled how Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) published the agenda of the leaders' meeting in Paris. According to him, the premier misinterpreted the agenda and portrayed the host French president as a "warmonger". "It's almost as if someone invites you to dinner, you go there, spit in the soup and offend his wife," stated Valasek. PS expert in the field of defence and former diplomat Peter Bator pointed out that despite the government's commitment to spend 2 percent of its GDP on defence, the amount of money invested in this area will ultimately be lower. ko/df