"We may feel that it does not concern us, but it's a huge mistake to think that a possible UK 'leave' won't affect Slovakia", said Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Thursday, the very day British citizens were deciding on their future EU membership. Shortly after learning the result of the referendum and after British Prime Minister David Cameron informed that: "... I do believe it's in a national interest to have a period of stability and then the new leadership required", Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that Slovakia respects the decision of the British voters.
The Slovak Republic will become the country presiding over the EU Council as of July 1, 2016. At his meeting with EU Council President Donald Tusk earlier this week, Prime Minister Robert Fico offered the possibility of an informal discussion on the future of the EU during the Slovak presidency term. In regard to the result of the British referendum, Robert Fico said on Friday: "We have to present a much more attractive attitude towards issues which are currently perceived by citizens of the EU extremely negatively." He added that the Slovak Republic will face the first impacts of the UK's decision which will be discussed during its presidency of the EU Council. "I expect a great deal of responsibility from the Slovak government." According to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for European Affairs Ľuboš Blaha Slovakia will act as the honest broker in the difficult process on agreeing on a new treaty with the UK. "The key role of our EU council presidency will not be to punish Britain on one side but not to weaken the EU on the other," said Ľuboš Blaha.
Parliamentary chairperson Andrej Danko warned against ignoring the referendum result and exiting the EU instead of solving problems. In his brief speech he touched upon the upcoming presidency of the Slovak Republic in the Council of EU. "We have the chance to show to the EU that we, a small nation, can act calm." Despite having said this, Andrej Danko expressed his observation on the rising selfishness of stronger nations. "I was watching with fear as western investors in the energy sector make steps to cease their activities in the eastern European markets", explained the Slovak Parliamentary chairman. He continued that he is afraid of Europe heading to destruction but wishes to deepen the aspects of everyday life that help us, meaning the Schengen area of free movement and the common currency.
The Slovak Republic accepts, with regret, the negative result of the referendum on the UK's membership in the EU, reads the statement from Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák. He added that Slovakia accepts and respects the decision. He pointed out that a Brexit also signals a message to the rest of the EU. Great Britain will remain a member of the EU with all its rights and duties until the leaving process is finished. "We believe in the European project and we have to make it more attractive to our citizens", said the Slovak Foreign Minister. He added that the European Union has brought peace, stability, prosperity and many advantages for its citizens.
The chairman of the Foreign parliamentary committee František Šebej from the coalition Most Hid party fears the domino effect which the British "No" vote might now trigger: "It's for sure that parties from other member countries will try to organise similar referenda too. ... I think that there are entities that will want to follow the British example even in Slovakia." The largest opposition party SaS leader Richard Sulik reassured his followers in his Euro-sceptical attitude on his facebook profile. In his reaction he wrote that: "The European Union is paying the price for depriving people of their freedom."
Despite their differing reactions, all of these Slovak politicians agree in one point. It would be a mistake to punish Britons for their attitude.
