Groehling Sees Czechoslovakia as Inspiration for Slovak Government

Bratislava, October 28 (TASR) - Czechoslovakia could inspire the Slovak government even today, MP and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) leader Branislav Groehling said on Monday in connection with the 106th anniversary of the founding of the first Czechoslovak Republic. Another opposition MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia', 'For the People', Christian Union/KU) stated that it's important to commemorate the values of freedom, equality and justice for all on which the first republic was built. "The country experienced enormous modernisation, was one of the 15 most advanced economies in the world, experienced the development of education, the boom of culture and close cooperation between Slovaks and Czechs," said Groehling. The SaS head went on to say that Slovakia isn't currently progressing under the fourth government of Robert Fico (Smer-SD). According to him, we're still moving away from the West and our neighbours. "This is confirmed by the fact that the Czech government has stopped negotiating with the Slovak one. On behalf of SaS, I can say that Slovakia must restore relations with the Czech Republic," he added. Remisova regrets that the current governing coalition is destroying the alliance with the Czech Republic. In her opinion, it has ruined joint negotiations between the governments with its policy. "It's all the more important that, despite the unfavourable political situation, we should promote the atmosphere of cooperation, freedom and cohesion that was the driving force behind our self-determination and the setting up of the common state," she concluded. am/mcs