BRATISLAVA, October 11, (WEBNOVINY) — Turning back on solidarity in resolving the impacts of a crisis may have existential consequences for Slovakia and its economy, said Prime Minister Iveta Radicova in parliament on Tuesday, when advocating the approval of increasing the volume of Slovak guarantees in the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). She added that it is in Slovakia’s interest to be there when new norms for regulation and supervision of financial concerns are made. “To say that it is a problem that does not concern us is simply a lie and is irresponsible,” she stressed.
The prime minister illustrated the importance of Slovakia’s vote by a message that she received from new Prime Minister of Portugal Pedro Passos Coelho, who said that he has no chance without guarantees to continue and complete Portugal’s restructuring. She underscored that a number of European governments, including the new governments of Portugal and Ireland, which are not responsible for the situation in their country, are adopting unpopular and often very drastic measures.
The prime minister is convinced that there is no other than supranational solution to current economic difficulties. “There are no solutions limited to individual countries,” she said. She reminded deputies that the Slovak economy depends on large global and European economies, which puts shared responsibility and solidarity on top.
To insist on the eurozone’s operation in line with the existing rules and to sit with folded hands can have fatal consequences, Radicova continued. “Slovakia is a full-pledged part of the EU, it is and wants to be a stable and reliable partner in the EU. It must remain so [a stable and reliable partner in the future — SITA note] ; that is our joint responsibility. (…) We have to take action right now,” she concluded.
SITA