Minister Sutaj Estok: I Can Envision Closer Cooperation within European Union

Bratislava, 12 June (TASR) - I understand efforts to explore new non-European markets for the Slovak economy, but at the same time I would urge intensified cooperation with European Union (EU) countries, stated Interior Minister and Voice-SD party leader Matus Sutaj Estok ahead of Thursday's government meeting in response to Prime Minister Robert Fico’s remarks about potential broader economic ties with Central Asia. "I would primarily envision greater cooperation within the European Union, as the majority of our exports are directed there, and the West represents the values we should strive towards. I approve of policies aimed towards all four cardinal directions, but we must not forget the West, which I feel is somewhat missing in that policy," said the Voice-SD leader. Sutaj Estok also reiterated Voice-SD's position on the premier's statements about the need to reform the political system and reduce the number of political parties, which, said Fico, pointing to the example of Uzbekistan and China, would increase the country’s economic efficiency and competitiveness. Sutaj Estok emphasised faith in a standard parliamentary democracy with political party competition, although he admitted that the current excessive number of political entities in Slovakia is unsustainable and that legislative changes should be made. lin/df