Slovakia doesn’t use its potential in international organisations

Slovakia doesn't have sufficient capacities and financial means to get fully involved in cooperating with international organisations and as a result the country participates in many activities only passively, TASR learnt from material prepared by the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry. Slovakia was a member of more than 100 international organisations in 2016 and 2017. The country sent funds to these organisations worth a total of €48.5 million in 2016 and €45.9 million in 2017. The Foreign and European Affairs Ministry evaluates these memberships positively in general despite several shortcomings. The drawbacks of Slovakia's membership in international organisations include, for example, "the insufficient involvement of the private sector and poor engagement of Slovak business entities in public procurement processes," said the ministry, adding that one obstacle is poor awareness of the possibilities to get involved, but often also the language barrier.