Talks continue on being in core of EU

The Slovak government wants to remain in the core of European integration, said Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok for RTVS last weekend. As he also added, the so-called core should not become an exclusive club without the option of its further extension. However, the Opposition MP of the Freedom and Solidarity party Martin Klus dislikes the fact that there is no discussion going on about the possible impact of Slovak membership in the core. "We have clearly named fields in which Slovakia should rather not be in the core," said Klus referring to the resettlement of refugees. Korčok countered by saying such statements could be perceived as Slovakia lacking the will to be at the negotiation table. MEP for Christian Democrats Ivan Štefanec said that Slovakia's interests in discussions should include the effort to remain in the Eurozone, the Schengen free movement area, continuing integration in the energy union and the forming of a common digital market. Sovereignty in taxation and social topics, however, should not be a subject of integration according to Štefanec.