President and EC in Slovakia Highlight Importance of Cooperation within EU

Bratislava, May 9 (TASR) - Even in times of crisis and when Europe's security is under threat, cooperation and mutual support make us stronger, President Peter Pellegrini and the European Commission (EC) Representation in Slovakia stated in a joint message marking Europe Day and the 21st anniversary of Slovakia's EU membership, expressing their belief that Slovakia will continue to be a responsible and reliable partner within the European family. "On the occasion of today's Europe Day and the recent 21st anniversary of Slovakia's accession to the EU, we jointly affirm our commitment to the European values that unite us - human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights," stated President Pellegrini and the EC Representation in Slovakia. They emphasised that these values form a solid foundation for our society and protect our unique history, traditions and culture. They consider Slovakia to be a proud and confident member of the EU. "EU membership has brought us new opportunities, but also the responsibility to contribute towards solutions that strengthen Europe. After 21 years, we can confidently say that Slovakia's decision to join the Union was the right one," they stated, adding that the EU now faces new challenges in becoming a respected global player. "It's crucial to address a range of issues, including migration, the advancement of science and research, security and our own defence capabilities. The success of this international cooperation project, which began 75 years ago, depends on how effectively we respond to these challenges," noted the president and the EC Representation in Slovakia. The foundations of European integration were laid by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in his speech on May 9, 1950, in which he proposed a new form of political cooperation to prevent wars in Europe. Marking its 75th anniversary this year, May 9 is celebrated annually as Europe Day. lin/df