SNS Calls on PM Fico to Reject Slovakia's Membership in Board of Peace

Bratislava 25 January (TASR) - The coalition's Slovak National Party (SNS) calls on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to reject, on behalf of Slovakia, the offered membership in the so-called Board of Peace, as Slovakia cannot afford such a membership, neither due to economic reasons nor in terms of the principles on which international cooperation should be based, TASR learnt from SNS spokesperson Zuzana Skopcova on Sunday. SNS added that any other position in this "elitist club" is also out of the question. The spokesperson pointed out that permanent membership in the newly established global organisation, initiated by United States President Donald Trump, is to cost one billion dollars. "It is clear that by this step Donald Trump is bypassing existing and internationally recognised organisations such as the United Nations and is creating his own structures in which, as chairman, he would decide on the future of the world and on who will and will not be a member. The status of such membership is completely undemocratic and clearly distorted in favour of the USA," Skopcova said. According to her, available information shows that several states are already gradually rejecting participation in this grouping. "Slovakia cannot and must not afford to join an organisation that is clearly purpose-built and is meant to cover up events linked to Greenland, Venezuela and other geopolitical adventures that still await us," she explained. SNS also declared that it is inconceivable for Slovakia to enter such an organisation solely on the basis of a decision by part of the Slovak government, without proper public and political discussion. "SNS fundamentally disagrees with such membership and under the conditions presented to us will never agree to it," Skopcova stated. SNS chair Andrej Danko said he believes the government will reject membership in the Board of Peace. "We have functioning institutions; we should be talking about how to make the United Nations work better, not about creating new ones," he noted in a video on a social network. Slovakia has received an offer to join the Board of Peace of the US president several days ago, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) said on Saturday (24 January). He added that the diplomacy ministry is currently assessing the offer, as it must evaluate links to domestic legislation as well as international commitments. mf