President: Search for New Foreign Partners Should Bring Benefits to Slovakia

Nemecka/Bratislava, January 10 (TASR) - The seeking of new foreign partners should have tangible and real benefits for Slovakia, while Slovakia's rightful place must remain in the EU and NATO, President Peter Pellegrini declared on Friday. "If the Government wishes to seek other vectors of our foreign policy, that's okay, but it can't be just about some theatrical meetings that realistically don't bring any benefits to Slovakia," stated the President. In the view of the head of state, Slovakia must act in a sovereign way and seek diplomatic ties in all four cardinal directions. Pellegrini thinks that the Prime Minister Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) statements don't impugn Slovakia's EU and NATO membership. "I rather perceive a change in style and rhetoric of Mr. Prime Minister, which stems from his own views," added the President. The effort to seek partners in different parts of the world shouldn't erode the quality of Slovakia's existing ties with its allies, however. Pellegrini noted that foreign visits shouldn't be conducted only as a PR stint that fails to bring any dividends to the country but "on the contrary, foster distrust among our western neighbours". The President added that he hasn't been informed about the Prime Minister's visit to Moscow at all. "I haven't had the honor and time yet to speak with the Prime Minister. When I'll meet him, I'll ask him about the outcome of that visit," he said. mf