Simecka Believes that Second EP Delegation Will Be Given Better Reception

Bratislava, 2 June (TASR) - Opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party leader and MP Michal Simecka believes that the second delegation of the European Parliament (EP), which arrived in Slovakia on Monday, will be received in a better way than the previous one, pointing out that inspections by delegations from the European Union in member states are common. Simecka reacted in this way to a journalist's question at a news conference on Monday. "It's a manifestation of paranoid thinking when Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) calls these people hitmen just because they've came to inspect the way in which EU money is being spent. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) said that it was a criminal expedition, and House Vice-chair Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) claimed it was a hybrid operation or a hybrid threat. What are these statements for in relation to our partners in the European Union, in relation to the European institution that checks the drawing of EU money?" asked Simecka. He views the visit by another delegation that is set to check the state of the rule of law in Slovakia as well founded. A four-member delegation of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) arrived in Bratislava on Monday to assess the current state of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights in Slovakia. The EP delegation plans to meet representatives of the Slovak government, Parliament, the judiciary and ombudsman, along with other relevant authorities, organisations and parties concerned - including representatives of the media and NGOs focused on the protection of human rights, democracy and non-discrimination. ko/df