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Dzurinda: Slovak Foreign Policy Will Have One Face Only
Friday 30 July 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, July 30 (TASR) - Slovakia's foreign policy in the years ahead will feature a unified presentation of the country abroad, and this will be based on the values that Slovakia traditionally sticks to.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda said that in practice this will translate into Slovakia not being two-faced anymore - the same will be declared both on home turf and abroad. At the same time, he said that the country's foreign policy will be open, transparent and under the eye of the public.
The ministry states that the main goal will be to improve Slovakia's position and reputation beyond its frontiers, which will hopefully increase the interest in Slovakia. Dzurinda also declares that his ministry will boost the development of communities of Slovak compatriots abroad.
The former prime minister went on to say that Slovakia's attitude and measures will lean upon traditional European values, including the right to life, civil liberties and maintaining human dignity. That's why Slovakia will curtail the official contacts with countries where human rights and liberties are being grossly and blatantly violated, said Dzurinda, mentioning Belarus and Cuba, among others that the former government cosied up to. "On one hand I do understand the business interest; but on the other hand these interests must not run counter to the aforementioned principles and values," said Dzurinda, commenting on the shift in diplomacy that took place under the former government and its basic orientation to the East rather the West.
He also informed about his ambition to boost good neighbourly relations, with Hungary in particular. Dzurinda also decribed Slovakia as an active player in European and trans-Atlantic partnerships, and said he wants to continue in this.
Also, he spoke highly of the United States, calling it Slovakia's strategic ally. He said the ministry will be investing a great deal of effort into leading an intense dialogue with the U.S. especially in trade and commerce, science and research, and high-tech. However, Dzurinda said the Government is interested in maintaining good relations with Russia too.
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