Pellegrini: I'll Appeal to Pompeo to Preserve Transatlantic Ties

Bratislava, February 11 (TASR) - Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) wants to open several topics at a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday (February 12), including, for example, the importance of preserving transatlantic relations. "I'll also make a strong appeal to Minister Pompeo to preserve the transatlantic ties, as well as that the possible trade war between the USA and Europe, won't be beneficial to either side. As the two most intertwined economies we are dependent on each other and we're stronger together," Pellegrini told TASR. Pellegrini views Pompeo's visit to Bratislava as a space for opening a number of topics, ranging from the economy to security. "I want to clearly declare that it is our concern to conduct a foreseeable foreign policy and we want to be an active NATO member," he said. According to him, in the context of the changing security environment, new challenges are emerging. In this connection he said that the Government wants to contribute to collective security also by modernising the armed forces. Pompeo will also meet President Andrej Kiska and Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak (a Smer-SD nominee). "The ministers will follow up their meeting in Washington in November 2018 and discuss bilateral issues, topical security and foreign policy issues as well as the priorities of our presidency of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)," said the foreign ministry. am/mcs