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Merkel: No Doubt Slovakia Will Be Responsible Partner
Wednesday 25 August 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Berlin, August 25 (TASR) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has no doubts about Slovakia and its new Government being a responsible partner in the future, she said after meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova in Berlin on Wednesday.
Merkel said this in connection to Slovakia's refusal to provide its share of a loan to Greece, a step that she repeatedly expressed regret about. However, Merkel appreciated Slovakia voting in favour of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). She stated that the overall financial aid package for Greece would have developed differently if the June 2010 general election in Slovakia hadn't brought a change of Government. "I am convinced that we won't have such problems in the future," she stated at a press conference after talks with Radicova, who is in Berlin for a one-day visit.
According to the German Chancellor, the European Union has to solve problems such as improving the contract abidance environment, including the Growth and Stability Pact, which has been largely flouted over the past two years as most countries have deficits that exceed 3 percent of their GDP. She is convinced that sanctions for those countries that do not abide by the rules should be introduced.
Radicova appreciates the openness and directness of the talks about important topics with Merkel. She agreed with Merkel that not respecting rules, contracts and the Stability Pact represent a big lesson for the EU and eurozone members for the future. "We're ready to do our utmost so that such a precedent won't ever be repeated again," said Radicova, adding that Slovakia will always respect the set rules of the Stability Pact and is also ready to consolidate public finances, start the economic growth cycle and create new jobs. She pointed to the fact that Slovakia has always been a stable member of the EU and will stay that way, while defending the fundamental values of EU - tolerance, solidarity and democracy.
The Slovak Premier defended her country's negative stance towards the €800-million loan to Greece, pointing to (Greece) not respecting the Stability Pact, falsely presenting its deficit, and eschewing the painful reforms which have affected Slovak citizens. She said she wants the 27 EU countries to respect the rules of the Pact and to ensure effective overall control rather than focusing on how to address the deficit in a specific country. Radicova added that Slovakia had the moral right to refuse the loan to Greece. "Such a loud scream can contribute to launch the processes of revival and respect of rules and criteria earlier than might otherwise be the case," she thinks.
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