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Belousovova Agrees With Putting Parliament on Standby
Tuesday 18 May 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, May 18 (TASR) - The decision of Parliamentary Chairman Pavol Paska (Smer-SD) to cancel Wednesday's ceremonial parliamentary session in order to keep Parliament on standby in case legislative measures are needed in reaction to the Hungarian Law on Dual Citizenship was correct, Slovak National Party (SNS) vice-chair Anna Belousovova told TASR on Tuesday.
"However, I view the other measures proposed by the Security Council to be a waste of time," said Belousovova.
She added that if the Hungarians had respected Slovakia as a partner and neighbour, they would have discussed their Dual Citizenship Act with Slovakia first. When asked whether appeals made by OSCE High Commissioner Knut Vollebaek or European Commission Chairman Jose Manuel Barroso could change Hungary's stance, Belousovova replied that Hungary wouldn't care.
According to her, the EU has failed to handle problems of this type, and the likelihood of Hungarians being persuaded to withdraw the controversial law by the OSCE isn't large. "We have to convene a parliamentary session and pass a piece of legislation that will prevent the Hungarian law from coming into effect on Slovakia's soil," said Belousovova, adding that SNS supports the idea of cancelling dual citizenship in Slovakia.
Parliamentary Chairman Pavol Paska said earlier that the ceremonial parliamentary session that should mark the end of the electoral term won't take place on Wednesday so that Parliament can remain alert and take possible legislative steps via fast-tracked legislative proceedings.
Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak will send an official written request for the summoning of a bilateral Slovak-Hungarian committee. If this request is rejected, a special high-level session will be initiated. In addition, the Slovak ministry is preparing to submit a complaint to OSCE High Commissioner for Minorities Knut Vollebaek and Fico will inform European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso about the issue.
Fico said that detailed monitoring of the situation will take place and that Slovakia will use all diplomatic efforts and standard proceedings. If these aren't effective, the Slovak Parliament will take counter-measures. "We prefer consultations and diplomatic proceedings," stressed Fico.
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