Danko: Slovakia Should Have Taken Up Same Stance as Hungary at EU Summit

Bratislava, March 7 (TASR) - Slovakia should have adopted the same stance at Thursday's (March 6) EU summit as Hungary did on some issues and stayed neutral vis-a-vis some others, leader of the junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) Andrej Danko declared on Friday. Danko voiced understanding for Prime Minister Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) position, as Danko believes that the talks weren't easy, and he expressed appreciation for what he sees as Fico's attempt to protect Slovakia's interests regarding the restoration of gas transit via Ukraine. He underlined that if a decision were taken to send Slovak soldiers to Ukraine, SNS would leave the government. "I expected Slovakia to act like Hungary does," claimed Danko at a press conference, adding that he finds it extremely important for Slovakia to stand side-by-side with Hungary in such situations. Danko doesn't want to attack Smer-SD, but he will ask Fico whether it wouldn't have been better for Slovakia to coordinate matters with the Hungarians. Fico still enjoys the confidence of SNS, though. "We'll hold talks next week, I'll try to understand his position. I'd like to show appreciation for the fact that Robert Fico fought for the restoration of the gas supplies, to appreciate that Robert Fico, whether at home or in the international arena, defends the interests of a proud Slovakia," said Danko about the summit. He voiced full understanding for Fico's position at the summit because if Fico had angered European leaders, he would have been in a difficult spot when it came to talks on European funds. Danko added that SNS is against more robust weapon supplies for Ukraine. mf/df