Matovic: No One Invited MEP Delegation, They Have Right to Take Interest

Bratislava, June 2 (TASR) - The delegation of the European Parliament (EP) that came to Slovakia to assess the state of the rule of law was not invited by the opposition and, at the same time, members of the European Parliament have the right to inquire about the state of affairs in Slovakia, leader of the 'Slovakia' party and MP Igor Matovic stated at a press conference on Monday. „I firmly believe that the members of the European Parliament who came to conduct inspections at the Government Office will not be intimidated by Robert Fico, who is trying to discredit them in advance. He’s calling them people who were supposedly sent here at the request of the Slovak opposition. None of us invited these people," said Matovic. Chair of the 'For the People' party Veronika Remisova pointed out that members of the government are attacking the judiciary, law enforcement, and freedom of speech. „A message to the Eurodelegation visiting Slovakia: The MEPs should watch out to see whether any strange people in sunglasses are following them, taking pictures of them, or tracking them. Because that’s how things work in Slovakia now. When a critical mission from the European Parliament arrives, instead of the government coalition taking it as a lesson, they have them followed," said Remisova, referring to a statement by Czech MEP Tomas Zdechovsky, who led a previous EP delegation and claimed he had been surveilled by Slovak intelligence services. MP Gabor Grendel ('Slovakia'-For the People-KU) also commented on Prime Minister Robert Fico’s (Smer-SD) inspection visit to the Ministry of Justice. After meeting with Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer-SD), the Prime Minister stated that there are no open issues between EU institutions and Slovakia in the area of criminal law. According to Fico, the role of criminal law is not to exact revenge. „I have to say I agree with him. The role of criminal law truly is not revenge. Its purpose is to establish justice. The problem is that Robert Fico’s government, from day one, has made the dismantling of justice its highest priority," Grendel declared. A four-member delegation of the EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs arrived in Bratislava on Monday to assess the current state of democracy, rule of law, and respect for fundamental rights in Slovakia. The delegation plans to meet with representatives of the Slovak government, Parliament, the judiciary, the ombudsperson, and other relevant authorities, organizations, and stakeholders, including media representatives and non-governmental organizations focused on the protection of human rights, democracy, and non-discrimination. mf