Foreign Ministry Rejects MP’s Claim on Binding Nature of Sanctions Resolution

Bratislava, 11 July (TASR) - The Foreign and European Affairs Ministry dismissed the statements made by opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) MP Vladimira Marcinkova, who claimed on Friday that the government is now bound by an opposition resolution to support the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Marcinkova stated that two weeks ago she submitted a draft resolution to Parliament, supported by a fifth of the MPs. She stated on social media that such a proposal becomes binding for the government even if no amendments are made to it in Parliament within two weeks, or if no newer resolution is adopted. "Yes, both the foreign minister [Juraj Blanar] and the prime minister [Robert Fico] (both from Smer-SD) have to follow it and vote accordingly in negotiations at the European level," she said. The ministry stated that the parliamentary European affairs committee is tasked with approving Slovakia’s positions on proposals for legally binding acts of the European Communities and the European Union, which are decided at the level of government representatives. However, the ministry claimed that the right granted to one-fifth of MPs under the Constitutional law applies only to stances on “other EU matters.” “It can therefore only be exercised in relation to positions that don't concern proposals for legally binding acts and other acts of the European Communities and the European Union,” the ministry told TASR. The ministry added that in connection with the proposal of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, Slovakia continues its constructive communication with the European Commission. "We insist on postponing its approval until a satisfactory solution is reached regarding the negative impacts on Slovakia related to the proposed REPowerEU legislation. For this reason, Slovakia maintains its position on the 18th sanctions package," the ministry stated. lin