President: EU and NATO Membership Among Slovakia's Greatest Achievements

Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - Slovakia's membership of the European Union (EU) and NATO is one of the country's greatest achievements, President Peter Pellegrini stated on Wednesday in Slovakia during a meeting with acting head of the European Commission Representation in Slovakia Radim Dvorak, held to mark the 21st anniversary of Slovakia's accession to the EU, TASR learnt from the President's Office on the same day. The president noted that membership of the EU enjoys strong and stable support among the Slovak population. However, he also emphasised the importance of continuously reminding people of the benefits this membership brings. "We must not take this support for granted. It's essential to keep highlighting the positives of our membership of the European community. People need to be aware of the advantages the EU offers us, but at the same time, we must also recognise Slovakia's important contribution to the future of Europe," Pellegrini stated, adding that the EU must continue to take steps that enhance the quality of life for its citizens. They also touched on the importance of addressing regional disparities between EU-member states. "Reducing inequalities and catching up with more developed EU countries will always be a priority for me," the president said. He noted that the EU is entering a challenging period in which it will have to rely increasingly on its own resources, whether in strengthening its competitiveness, resilience, or in the economic sphere. lin/mcs