Fico Says Motion to Expel Smer-SD from PES Is Result of Gradual Distancing

Bratislava, 11 October (TASR) - The Smer-SD party's working congress should acknowledge a motion to expel Smer-SD from the Party of European Socialists (PES), noting that it is the result of gradual distancing, Prime Minister and Smer-SD leader Robert Fico suggested in his address at the congress held in Bratislava on Saturday. Smer-SD should also express regret that PES does not plan to allow Smer-SD representatives to attend the congress where PES is to decide on the expulsion, according to Fico's proposal. "The working congress also mandates Smer-SD MEPs to begin talks on joining another existing or newly formed parliamentary caucus that would provide better understanding and scope for a strategic premise that peace, economic prosperity and the resulting quality of life of citizens should be the purpose and central theme of Europe's and Slovakia's future, as well as for a balanced approach to sovereignty within European and transatlantic integration, especially when it comes to vital national interests of member states, including smaller ones," stated Fico. He said this was a logical development of the situation, as it involves a long-running dispute that needs to be resolved, adding that he's been concerned about the PES' stance towards Smer-SD on several occasions. According to the proposal, Slovakia's authentic left is gradually distancing from Brussels' ideas about what values and priorities should the left-wing and social democratic parties pursue, as well as about the position of peace in European integration. During his address, Fico also described Slovakia's foreign policy orientation towards all four cardinal directions as correct. He stressed the need to support membership in both the European Union and NATO, as well as to exert maximum effort in pursuing Slovakia's sovereign interests with a focus on peace and economic prosperity in Europe. jrg