Following the European Council meeting in Brussels on Friday Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Slovakia does not agree with easing general government consolidation targets for selected countries. He admitted however that it is possible that the European Union will forgive higher deficits to some countries. This stems from a rumour that France is demanding an exception from this year’s budgetary target when its budget gap should be several tenths of a percent wider than the planned 3 percent of GDP.
According to Fico, these figures have not been yet confirmed though he acknowledges the efforts of some countries regarding this. “We will definitively protest against it but I do not know whether it will help,” he said. He did not say whether Slovakia would veto the relaxing of the agreed upon rules in such case. “I will tell you how I will cross this river only when I will stand on its shore,” added Fico, saying that in 2013 countries should keep their commitments without exception.
Gavin Shoebridge
