President: Slovakia Takes Part in Shaping Rules of Game in EU

Bratislava, 18 November (TASR) - The fulcrum of Tuesday's meeting between President Peter Pellegrini and ambassadors of EU countries stationed in Slovakia was the priorities of the Danish Council of the EU Presidency and the current challenges and prospects that Slovakia faces in European policy. The head of state pointed out in the discussion that Slovakia plays an active part in shaping European policy. Pellegrini noted that the Danish Presidency, which is nearing its end, has managed to meet its goals. "They set up three important priorities: make Europe safer, more green and competitive. In difficult times, they managed to do a dignified and solid job," said the president, underlining that the Danish Presidency has been taking place during the ongoing war in Ukraine, increased geopolitical tensions and pressure on the EU's resilience. "We discussed not only the war in Ukraine and the global situation, but also what people are going through at home: the growth in energy and food prices, an increased burden on family budgets and concerns as to whether European firms will preserve their production and jobs in Europe," added the president. He accentuated that Slovakia remains a pragmatic but active member of the EU, continuing to pursue its interests particularly in the fields of energy, defence and competitiveness. "Slovakia has the potential to be part of a confident Europe, one that not only reacts to the decisions of others, but is capable of pushing its own interests," he said. At his meeting with the ambassadors from EU countries, Pellegrini also drew attention to the joint challenge of increasing the weight of the EU on the global scene and "turning the EU into a strong actor that not only catches up with the USA and China, but also co-shapes the rules of the game". This, Pellegrini noted, must happen in a way that would prevent the economic suffering of either ordinary people or European firms, however. mf/df