President: September Declaration Defines Slovakia's Anchorage in EU and NATO

Bratislava, January 8 (TASR) - The declaration on Slovakia's foreign policy, signed four months ago by the three highest constitutional officials, currently provides sufficient space for the daily political work, stated President Peter Pellegrini, as reported by the President's Office communications department to TASR, adding that the president is ready to discuss foreign policy after the election of a House chair. "The declaration on Slovakia's foreign policy, signed four months ago by the three highest constitutional officials of the Slovak Republic, clearly defines Slovakia's firm anchorage in the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance, while also affirming Slovakia's right to conduct a sovereign foreign policy in all four directions of the world," stated the President's Office in response to the proposal by Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD). "However, the president is ready to discuss this topic at a meeting of the three highest constitutional officials after the election of the House chair," added the department. On September 1, 2024, the President, Prime Minister, and the House vice-chair, Peter Ziga (Voice-SD) who's been tasked with heading Parliament on a temporary basis, signed a joint statement on a unified approach to foreign policy issues. In the memorandum, they declared Slovakia's firm anchorage in the EU and NATO. The Premier intends to propose to the highest constitutional officials and the leaders of the coalition parties the presentation of a statement on Slovakia's foreign policy orientation. He announced this on Tuesday (January 7), stating that it would be a response to the rise of opinions contrary to those promoted by Brussels and the denial of fundamental democratic principles. According to Fico, the statement will also define the principles that Slovakia follows in foreign policy matters. lin/mcs