Slovak News Back to the news
Foreign Affairs Ministry: Slovakia Will Promote Democracy Abroad in 2010
Monday 08 March 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, March 8 (TASR) - Slovakia will further promote the strengthening of democracy and a state based on the law, human rights and liberties, including the rights of ethnic minorities in 2010, reads a document submitted by the Foreign Affairs Ministry for discussion in Parliament this week.
In addition, Slovakia rejects expressions of extremism, racism, intolerance, xenophobia, aggressive nationalism and anti-semitism. Via its membership of the EU, NATO and UN, Slovakia will actively take part in international activities against terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the stockpiling of conventional weapons.
The ministry also notes that the global economic and financial crisis represents the primary factor that will influence international relations this year as well. "Even though the tempo of the global economic slump has decelerated, the social consequences of the crisis will also appear in 2010. Slovakia, in order to tackle the negative effects on its economy and public most effectively, will closely co-operate in co-ordinating anti-crisis activities within the EU and other international organisations and forums," states the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
This year, Slovakia will also devote great attention to neighbourly relations, regional co-operation and activities within the Visegrad Four group (Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland), with the aim of strengthening stability, security and sustainable development in Central Europe. "The priority of our relations remains development of above-standard relations with the Czech Republic and traditionally good relations with Poland. Fifteen years after the signing of a Fundamental Treaty with Hungary, Slovakia remains open to a bilateral dialogue without historical burdens at all levels and all spheres based on an alliance, mutual values and a common future," declared the ministry. Special attention will be paid to deepening co-operation with Austria and intensifying relations with Ukraine.
According to the Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry, international relations this year will be influenced by the U.S. Administration led by President Barack Obama, which faces big challenges both on the domestic and global political scenes. "The U.S.A. will in the spirit of effective multilateralism expect greater activity, unity and determination in resolving issues of global politics from its European allies. In the bilateral sphere, Slovakia will continue its intense dialogue with the U.S.A. and all allies from the EU and NATO," reads the document.
All rights reserved. Any publishing or further dissemination of press releases and photographs from TASR's resources without TASR's prior written approval constitutes a violation of the Copyrights Act.
