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Butora: Slovakia's Rejection of Loan to Greece Could Backfire
Sunday 17 Octtber 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, October 17 (TASR) - The refusal to lend money to Greece could backfire on Slovakia, thinks sociologist and honorary president of the Public Affairs Institute (IVO) Martin Butora.
Butora said Slovakia could face a backlash, for example, during decision-making on the European budget, the launch of new projects, or when it comes to support for Slovak candidates running for various European posts. He noted that the decision not to participate in the loan to Greece, which Parliament voted down in August, was one of the most widely discussed issues in the third quarter of 2010.
"Those who favour the rejection of the loan repeatedly argued that support for Greece would only support irresponsible behaviour ... that we would only be sending out a signal that there is no need for reforms because there will always be somebody to provide help. And in the end, when we are asking for sacrifices from our people, we don't have the money for a loan to Greece," said Butora, adding that this stance led to certain positive reactions worldwide, but criticism as well.
"The criticism spoke about Slovakia underestimating the significance of European solidarity," said Butora. He asserted that when European leaders agree on a solution to a complex and sensitive issue despite the fact that they don't view it as an ideal one, EU states demonstrate European solidarity when they at least take this solution into consideration.
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