MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, 23 June 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, 22 June): BRATISLAVA - President Peter Pellegrini has expressed concern over the growing tension in the world. In response to the United States' attack on Iran, he posted on a social network on Sunday that he believes that the hostile parties in the Middle East, but also in Ukraine and all crisis regions will sit at the negotiation table as soon as possible. "Many states, including democratic countries and world powers, are more and more resigning to diplomatic solutions to crisis situations, preferring powerful ones, as a result of which people are dying," stated the president, who sees the only possibility for the long-term survival of human civilisation in the peaceful coexistence of nations. The USA bombed Iran's Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites on Sunday. BRATISLAVA - Any conflict needs to be solved at the United Nations (UN) and not through weapons, no matter how good the intentions are, Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) has said in response to the US night attacks on Iran. "It's unacceptable for any country to conduct military operations on the territory of another sovereign country. We've been consistently appealing that the Middle East region urgently needs peace and stability, which requires de-escalation of the situation and, above all, the return of diplomacy and dialogue," stated Blanar, adding that Slovakia has repeatedly pointed to the violation of international law. BRATISLAVA - The US attacks on Iran are a breaking point in the effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran continues to pose a threat to the region with its aggressive policies and support for terrorism, opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) presidium member and former foreign affairs minister Ivan Korcok has said in reaction to the night-time attacks. According to Korcok, the intervention came after the failure of diplomatic negotiations; however, the risk of escalation is high. "Given this risk and the security implications, it's essential that the USA consult its next steps with allies. They will have the next opportunity to do so at the NATO summit. The current crisis also shows the need for a stronger common European defence,” stated Korcok. BRATISLAVA - In the context of the US attack on Iran, European countries should consider whether NATO membership is a benefit or rather a security risk for them, coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) leader and House Vice-chair Andrej Danko said on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday. "A Cold War is looming and I explain to you that if Europe doesn't cut itself off from the United States, it will also bear the risk of military adventures of the USA, which are now in Iran. I explain to you that then all European countries, not just Slovakia, must hold a referendum on withdrawing from NATO and consider whether NATO is a benefit or a risk for them," stated Danko. He said that he was surprised by US President Donald Trump's action. According to him, it's not yet time to initiate a referendum on withdrawing from NATO, but if the conflict deepens and threatens the security of European countries, the issue of NATO membership could be raised. His opponent on the show, MP Gabor Grendel ('Slovakia' party, 'For the People' and the Christian Union/KU) opines that just the current situation in the world shows how important NATO membership is. He said that Slovakia must continue to be part of collective defence within NATO. He believes that the membership has more pros than cons for the country in terms of internal and international security. However, he hopes that the world currently isn't on the verge of World War III. BRATISLAVA - Speaking on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party leader Michal Simecka said that PS staffed the House vice-chair post with Martin Dubeci to prevent the coalition from taking it, since there were signals from coalition MPs that they would be interested in it. According to Simecka, the House vice-chair for the opposition will enable the opposition to supervise the governing coalition better. Dubeci might, for example, take part in Security Council meetings. "When the Security Council held the meeting about the alleged coup, no one from the opposition could have attended it. So we would like to have this kind of supervision," he said. He denied that there would have been a political agreement with the Slovak National Party (SNS) on Dubeci's election. His opponent on the show, coalition Voice-SD party leader and Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok confirmed that MP Jan Ferencak will remain the head of the parliamentary European affairs committee. "He's still a party member, though a rank-and-file one, we have 3,000 members. We have a plenty of capable, smart people in Voice-SD. I think that Mr. Ferencak is capable and smart enough to hold the post," stated Sutaj Estok. BRATISLAVA - The US attack on Iran will bring huge security tensions in the world, Voice-SD leader and Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday, stressing the need to look at national security, such as the renewal of civil defence shelters, in the context of defence investments. "I am very sorry for what's happening in the world, the word 'peace' is actually a huge rarity, and I'm not talking only about Ukraine now, I am also talking about the Middle East. The latest events are extremely serious and dangerous in terms of the potential escalation of this global conflict," said the minister. BRATISLAVA - Peace is a value that we must not lose sight of, House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) said in reaction to the US night-time attacks on Iran on Sunday, TASR has learnt from the Parliament Office's communication department. At the same time, Rasi supported all steps leading towards peace and stability. "Wherever in the world conflicts take place, the path of dialogue, respect for international law and human dignity remains the only real solution to them. The situation in the whole Middle East region has long required, first and foremost, peaceful steps, so essential for overall security and stability, and not further escalation of crises," stated Rasi. lin