Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová received ambassadors at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, with the president praising the work they do for the country, it was reported on the same day. Čaputová stressed that she wanted Slovak diplomacy to continue to be high-quality and respected. "I want Slovakia to be perceived as a self-confident country whose values are anchored unambiguously," she said, bringing attention to Slovakia's membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO. "I won't be silent if our values are disparaged, if we send out muddling signals from Slovakia or act against our interests as an EU and NATO member," said the president, adding that she expects the same from diplomats. Čaputová reiterated that both in domestic and foreign policy she wants to address environmental, justice, rule of law and human rights issues as well as the protection of socially vulnerable groups. According to the president, good relationships with Slovakia's neighbours are very important to her. "It's very easy to have bad relationships with those we disagree with," she said.
Čaputová reiterated that she feels sorry about current relations with Russia. She said she did not perceive any interest on the Russian side in having an open dialogue with Slovakia. Parliamentary Chair Andrej Danko has been on a working visit to Russia this week - attending a plenary session of the 'Developing Parliamentarianism' international forum in Moscow - in an effort to foster closer ties between the two countries. This is his second visit to Russia since early May. He has stated in the past that Slovak politicians should establish any ties that are beneficial to Slovakia and keep its doors open to both East and West. Relations between the West and Russia have deteriorated in recent years, especially in the wake of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
