PS: Stronger Europe Needed to Tackle Security and Environmental Threats

Bratislava, May 1 (TASR) - A more decisive democratic Europe is needed, one prepared to face current security and environmental threats, said European Parliament Vice-President and Progressive Slovakia (PS) presidium member Martin Hojsik on Thursday, May 1, marking the 21st anniversary of Slovakia joining the EU, adding that the EU must become a true global power, ready for expansion towards Ukraine and the Western Balkans,. "In institutional matters, we should strengthen the role of the European Parliament, improve the protection of human rights, media freedom, and the rule of law. Without reforming institutions and decision-making processes, enlargement will be difficult," Hojsik told TASR. According to PS, the EU needs a stronger budget with its own resources to better address defence, energy independence, and inequalities between member states, as well as associated social issues, with these resources coming from areas where multinational corporations, especially in the digital sector, "escape" fair taxation at the national level. "The arrival of Donald Trump's administration and his questioning of security guarantees for NATO-member states served as a wake-up call at the European level," emphasised the MEP. According to PS, common European defence is now a hot topic in the European Parliament, where a separate defence committee has been created. Hojsik believes that a common EU defence would provide further security guarantees and an opportunity for more efficient resource allocation. PS finds it alarming that the Slovak government is a "clear outsider" in discussions on common defence among member states, risking being left out of the collective defence, which would be a huge threat to our security and sovereignty," Hojsik added. lin/mcs