On Friday, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanár, discussed the challenges that are currently resonating in the European space, as well as cooperation with the Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU in Brussels, with eight Slovak MEPs. TASR was informed about this by the communication department of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MFA) of the Slovak Republic.
- Minister Blanár discussed with eight Slovak MEPs in Brussels.
- He emphasized the need for clear promotion of Slovak interests in the EU.
- They dealt with the financial framework, agricultural policy and energy.
- The topic was also the integration of the Western Balkans and Ukraine into the EU.
- Blanár wants to strengthen the cooperation of Slovak MEPs in Brussels.
“The European Parliament is a place where decisions are made with a direct impact on the citizens of all member states, including Slovakia. It is important that we act with clearly named priorities and consistently promote our national interests, but also the interests of the EU. A strong and legible position increases our ability to influence the final form of European legislation,” declared Blanár.
Meeting with eight MEPs
All 14 Slovak representatives in the European Parliament were invited to the meeting. Eight of them took part in the discussion – Monika Beňová, Ľuboš Blaha, Erik Kaliňák, Judita Laššáková, Katarína Roth Neveďalová (unaligned/all Smer-SD), Branislav Ondruš (unaligned/Hlas-SD), Miriam Lexmann (EPP/KDH) and Milan Uhrík (ESN/Republika).
The head of Slovak diplomacy used the meeting to remind the Slovak government of its position on current European issues. He emphasized above all the Framework position of the Slovak Republic to the Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU for the years 2028-2034 with a focus on stronger cohesion and common agricultural policy, but also Slovakia’s disagreement with the EU RePower legislative proposal. “Our position remains clear – we strongly reject ideologically motivated initiatives that will increase pressure on energy prices and deal another blow to our competitiveness,” said Blanár.
EU enlargement and trade agreements
At the same time, the subject of the discussion was the attitude of the Slovak Republic to the enlargement of the EU, with an emphasis on the integration of the states of the Western Balkans and Ukraine. “I clearly explained to the MEPs representing Slovakia that, during the accession process of these countries, they should act actively in favor of its successful conclusion, but consistently on the basis of fulfilled rules. That is, no shortcuts or double standards,” stated the minister.
The informal meeting also touched on the topics of the trade agreement between the EU and the association of the South American bloc Mercosur, the active participation of the Slovak Republic in the Slavkov format (S3) or the Vyšehrad Group (V4), but also the issue of low Slovak representation in European institutions.
The importance of active MEPs
Blanár pointed out the importance of the active involvement of Slovak MEPs. “The visibility and professional involvement of Slovak MEPs are key for the strong voice of the Slovak Republic in the formation of European policies and for a real influence on the adoption of legislation for the benefit of EU citizens,” the minister concluded and confirmed the readiness of the Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU in Brussels to cooperate with the Slovak representatives in the European Parliament and convey the positions of the Slovak Republic to them.
