According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s draft annual report on Slovakia’s membership of the EU in 2021, Russia's continuing confrontational approach in the military, security and political spheres is a major challenge for Euro-Atlantic security and there has been no improvement in the EU’s complicated relationship with Moscow.
"The problem is disagreements on fundamental political and security issues. The policy of the EU has continued to be based on the five guiding principles, the application of sanctions and the desire to contribute to the resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The implementation of the Minsk agreements remains a condition for a change in EU policy," the document reads.
At the same time, the draft states that Slovakia is open to cooperation with Russia in selected areas. The ministry declared that Slovakia is interested in developing correct relations with Russia and conducting a constructive and substantive, but also critical dialogue.
In the area of foreign policy, the report indicates that events in the East were particularly sensitive. Slovakia supported the EU's response to election fraud and human rights violations in Belarus, and will continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, according to the annual report.
In another area, Slovakia is interested in developing relations with China based on a fair and reciprocal partnership. "However, engagement requires the interest of both parties and compliance with applicable rules. Slovakia and the EU cannot refrain from upholding human rights and the values on which they are based," states the report.
Source: TASR
