European Parliament Chairman Martin Schulz met with top representatives of the Slovak Republic Thursday in Bratislava. The main topic of his talks was Slovakia's upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU set to start on July 1.
"During our presidency, national interests should give way to being an honest intermediary of agreements and compromises among all EU-member states in favour of European unity", said President Andrej Kiska after meeting Martin Schulz. Both officials spoke also about energy security, migration and growth of populism and radicalism in Europe. Andrej Kiska was also interested in the process of visa liberalisation with Ukraine and Georgia that is currently taking place in the European Parliament.
Martin Schultz and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico established that the whole EU will have to respond to the outcome of the 'Brexit' referendum that will take place on June 23. "No matter what will be the result of it, we'll have to be prepared to cope with it", Schulz told the press. Robert Fico has promised that Slovakia will take up its role in a responsible way. "Despite the hectic period, I'd like to guarantee that Slovakia will be well prepared", said Fico. He added that the presidency is a great opportunity for Slovakia to make itself more visible. "A small country will be in the centre of European discussion about topics that are not seen every month", explained Fico, adding that Slovakia's priorities might be influenced by various incidents. "We have to realise that there is the referendum in Britain on June 23, less than a week after that there is an important general election in Spain. We're also still worried by the predicament in Greece regarding its financial situation, and the migration crisis is still a very lively topic", summed up Fico. Schulz praised Fico's ability to fend for the interests of Slovakia effectively and in a way that doesn't hurt the interests of the entire EU. "That's a very important combination", stressed Schulz, adding that Fico will lead not only Slovakia but all EU-member states in the second half of 2016.
Parliamentary Chairman Andrej Danko met with his European counterpart Martin Schulz in Bratislava too. The officials talked about Slovakia's Presidency of the Council of the EU as well as about the role of national parliaments, migration crisis, Schengen area border protection and the Energy Union. "Slovakia is consistent in its position towards migration and we'll strive to put the Union on the course towards sustainable migration and asylum policies", added Danko. According to the Slovak parliamentary chairman, citizens need to have the feeling that the state cares about their opinions, fears and interests at the EU level. "Our ambition during the presidency is to listen more and to preach less", intoned Danko.
