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Barroso: EU Based on Solidarity That Works Both Ways
Tuesday 13 July 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Brussels, July 13 (TASR-correspondent) - Solidarity within the EU works both ways, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said after his meeting with new Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova on Tuesday in Brussels.
Radicova implied that the European guarantee mechanism (EFSF) can be approved by Slovakia as soon as tomorrow (Wednesday) at a Government session, calling Slovakia's signature "a formality".
Barroso has become another high-ranking EU representative who is pressing Slovakia to approve EFSF as soon as possible and also provide financial aid to Greece within the next three years.
"I won't go into details of our discussions. I fully understand that the first session of the Slovak Government will take place only on Wednesday. The previous Slovak government has made a commitment, and we expect that commitment to be honoured. This involves Greece as well, as the EU is based upon the principle of solidarity and that's a two-way street. You might be in need of solidarity from others today, and provide it to others tomorrow. I hope this principle has been understood by all countries," said Barroso.
"I'll inform the Government in detail about the Brussels talks. As far as the signature goes, Mr. Barroso was very clear - it's a formality. The process of establishing the guarantee mechanism wouldn't have begun if it wasn't for the commitment made by the previous Slovak government, and that's a fact. This rather begs the question why is Slovakia's signature still missing, since the commitment has already been made," said Radicova.
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