Blanar: No Superpower Can Trample on and Violate Sovereignty of Smaller Country

Bratislava, 21 August (TASR) - It is impossible for any big country to trample on the sovereign and legitimate claims of a smaller country or a neighbour and violate its sovereignty; superpowers mustn't violate international law, said Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) in a speech delivered at a commemorative event to mark the victims of the occupation of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact Troops on August 21, 1968. Blanar promised that the government will support compliance with international law so that such events never happen again. "It isn't possible for any big country, with great power behind it, to trample on the sovereign and legitimate claims of any smaller country or neighbour and violate its sovereignty. And this is all the more important at these times when we are facing the erosion of international law," stated the minister. According to Blanar, it is necessary to return to observance of international law and mutual respect between countries. He called for any conflicts to be resolved through diplomatic channels. He sees the legacy of August 1968 in the need to listen to the voice of citizens. "The vast majority of citizens of the then Czechoslovak Republic were clearly supporting the revival process by Alexander Dubcek. And this is something that needs to be significantly perceived even today, as the power of politicians and all those who decide whether to attack someone or not comes from the citizens. And we must never forget that," he said. ko/df