Fico: Chancellor Merz's Statements Unacceptable in Modern Europe

Bratislava, 27 May (TASR) - Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has heavily criticised a statement by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Germany will consider proposing in Brussels that EU funds to Slovakia should be cut if it continues to deviate from the Union's common direction. The chancellor's statements are unacceptable in the modern Europe, stated Fico during his visit to Armenia on Tuesday. "If someone wants to promote a policy of a single one mandatory opinion, that means the end of democracy in Europe," said Fico. "No one can threaten us here by saying that if we don't obey, they will put us in order," added the premier. According to him, Slovakia's positions are not based on "vanity" or narrow-mindedness, but on the fact that it has its own national interests. The premier sees nothing in the Slovakia's practical policy that anyone could call a violation of the rule of law. He also defended his criticism of the halt to gas transit via Ukraine, reiterating that it would be a mistake to stop imports of nuclear fuel from Russia. Merz said that unless the current stances of countries change, the EU will not avoid conflict with Hungary and Slovakia. "We cannot allow the decision-making of the whole EU to depend on a small minority. And clearer words and perhaps even harsher conflicts could definitely occur here," said Merz. He pointed out that both countries have the right of veto, which allows them to block or at least weaken the Union's planned sanctions against Russia. ko/df