'Slovakia': Foreign Policy of Blanar Too Pro-Kremlin Oriented

Bratislava, May 28 (TASR) - The foreign policy of Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) purportedly aimed in "all four directions" is not working at all, as in reality it's a policy oriented in only one direction — pro-Kremlin, MP Gabor Grendel (Slovakia-For the People-KU alliance) stated at a Wednesday. According to Grendel, top leaders of EU and NATO countries are avoiding visits to Slovakia and meetings with Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD), which he considers the fault not only of the Prime Minister but also of Blanar. „One way to measure the results is by how many prime ministers from the European Union have come to Bratislava on bilateral visits to Robert Fico," said Grendel. Chair of the 'For the People' party Veronika Remisova pointed out that the minister prefers visits to countries that are economically insignificant partners for Slovakia, while neglecting countries with which Slovakia has developed trade relations. In her view, the coalition is unable to achieve anything for Slovakia in the European Union. „Fico’s compass, supposedly pointing in all four directions, coincidentally always points East. Even President Peter Pellegrini had to point out in his speech today that the West is our most important partner," added Remisova, who also said it is shameful that even ministers from Voice-SD later approved Fico’s trip to Moscow at a government meeting. Former Interior Minister (2020-23) and MP Roman Mikulec (Slovakia-For the People-KU) added that the foreign policy of Fico and Blanar is detrimental to Slovakia's interests and also unacceptable for its EU partners. „It is also a disgrace for Pellegrini, who, as one of the actors responsible for foreign policy, cannot get Fico and Blanar under control,” noted the former interior minister. Earlier on Wednesday, the Prime Minister held a meeting with Foreign and European Affairs Minister Blanar, which focused on reviewing the implementation of the government’s Manifesto. mf