SaS: Roundtable on Defence Just First of Opposition Talks on Several Issues

Bratislava, March 18 (TASR) - The opposition roundtable meeting on the issue of defence is only the first of several discussions to be held on important issues, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) leader Branislav Groehling told a news conference on Tuesday, adding that SaS intends to convene meetings of all opposition parties on the issues of education, justice, health care and finance in the future. "We'll put together what we agree on, offering it to the public so that it will know that if it votes for the opposition, the opposition is ready to take over responsibility," stated Groehling. The SaS leader conceded that every opposition party has its own identity, for which its voters back it without asking it to tear out pages from its programme. Roundtable discussions should be aimed at seeking breakthroughs, though, stated Groehling, noting that the meeting on defence will take place on Wednesday (March 19). MP Juraj Krupa (SaS) opined that Slovakia is lagging behind its partners in this area. He would like the country to be part of the so-called Coalition of the Willing and be involved in shaping a new security architecture for Europe. He stressed that government officials are isolating Slovakia and that the country won't have access to joint purchases or joint borrowing, which will ultimately cost it more money. ko/df