Blanar: No Change in Slovakia's Foreign Policy Direction

Bratislava, March 4 (TASR) - There is no change in Slovakia's foreign policy direction. Slovakia is a free, independent, and sovereign republic where democratic election has taken place, stated Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) in response to opposition Progressive Slovakia member Ivan Korcok, who on Tuesday submitted a petition to the ministry urging the government not to gamble with Slovakia's position in Europe. According to Blanar, the petition is based on lies and manipulations, aimed at stirring emotions and exploiting people in the squares. The minister reminded that Slovakia's foreign policy direction is anchored in the government's programme manifesto and the joint statement of the three highest constitutional officials. The minister also reminded Korcok that Slovakia is a sovereign member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance. According to Blanar, the opposition's claim that the government is isolated is nonsense. He mentioned that the president, prime minister, and ministers are both receiving and being received by representatives from states and organisations worldwide. "I therefore call on Mr. Korcok to provide the people who signed his empty petition of false claims with relevant information, rather than spreading lies aimed solely at influencing people in the squares," he remarked. On Tuesday, Korcok submitted a petition with nearly 80,000 signatures from citizens to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The petition is a message to the government to reconsider its actions, which are distancing Slovakia from Europe. lin