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Gasparovic: Hauliers Right in Certain Aspects
Sunday 10 January 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, January 10 (TASR) - The protesting hauliers who are demanding changes to the road-toll system and a reduction in excise tax on fuels are right in certain aspects, said Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic in Bratislava on Sunday.
On the other hand, he noted that similar systems are functioning around the world and claimed that they are necessary in Slovakia as well.
"Highways and roads are going to be repaired from this (from the tolls), so it can't be stopped," said Gasparovic. At the same time, he admitted that the hauliers, who have been blocking one of Bratislava's main traffic arteries - Roznavska street - since Thursday, are right that not everything was prepared well enough for the system to work without problems, but he thinks that launching a project like this isn't so simple.
"I understand both sides, so I'm glad that these things will be discussed. The Premier (Robert Fico) informed me that he will hold talks with people who make decisions on these matters. I'm convinced that he will find consent," he stated.
Referring to the road carriers' request to meet Fico, Gasparovic said that they can't make conditions. He thinks, therefore, that the problem will be resolved based on the opinions of those who will hold talks with the premier, and the protesters will miss an opportunity, as they are giving Fico demands that he cannot accept.
Fico on Friday promised to meet the disgruntled carriers on Monday morning, but only if they stopped blocking Roznavska Street - a condition that hasn't been met as yet.
"I asked them: 'Stop taking people in Bratislava and Slovakia as hostages of your own economic and political demands and come to the meeting in a way that there will be peace. Park your lorries somewhere'. The condition hasn't been met yet, so I can hardly meet them tomorrow (Monday) at 10 a.m.," said Fico on Slovak Television's (STV) politics show 'O 5 Minut 12' ('5 Minutes to 12') on Sunday.
At the same time, the premier announced a meeting that will take place on Monday with groups that he views as natural partners of the Government when it comes to issues concerning the road-toll system.
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