MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 30 May 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Friday, 29 May): BRATISLAVA - In connection with the incident in Romania in which a Russian drone hit a residential building in the city of Galați, measures are being taken within the framework of the integrated NATO air and missile defence system, NATINAMDS, Slovak Armed Forces spokesman Stefan Zemanovic has told TASR. At the same time, exchanges of information regarding the air situation have been strengthened. "The Slovak Armed Forces are carrying out the tasks of protecting airspace within the framework of the NATINAMDS integrated alliance system. In connection with the current situation, measures are being taken within this system and exchanges of information on the air situation have been strengthened," said Zemanovic. He added that enhanced measures related to maintaining awareness of the air situation have been in place since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. BRATISLAVA - Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has expressed full solidarity with the government of Romania in connection with the drone incident overnight, calling for restraint and the avoidance of 'grandstanding statements', the Government Office's press department has informed TASR. Fico also reiterated his call for the opening of an immediate dialogue between the European Union (EU) and Russia. "I stated a few days ago that in the absence of dialogue between the EU and the Russian Federation, any stray drone could lead to an escalation of tensions that we will not be able to handle," said Fico. BRATISLAVA - Responding to the drone incident in Romania on Thursday night, President Peter Pellegrini on Friday said that he rejects any escalation of tensions between Russia and NATO-member states. For Slovakia, increasing the security and defence capabilities of its eastern border, both in technical and legislative terms, must be a priority, stated Pellegrini. "I express solidarity with the government and people of Romania. The Russian drone attack on a residential building in Romania is a dangerous precedent that raises a real need to strengthen the security of member states on NATO's eastern flank," said the president. He called for international engagement and pressure to move peace talks between Ukraine and Russia forward. BRATISLAVA - The incident in the city of Galați in Romania in which a Russian drone struck a residential building and injured civilians serves as a serious warning to the entire region, Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) has stated, adding that the war in Ukraine is dangerously approaching the borders of NATO-member states and the European Union, TASR learnt from Veronika Piatkova from the Parliament Office's media and public relations department on Friday. "I express my full solidarity with Romania; we stand with the Romanian government and its citizens. Such attacks mustn't be downplayed or overlooked. The security of Slovakia and our citizens must be an absolute priority. The state must, in close coordination with its NATO and EU allies, increase pressure to stop the fighting and return to the negotiating table. And, of course, strengthen its defence capabilities so that we can respond flexibly to all threats," added Rasi. BRATISLAVA - Slovakia is interested in further developing its partnership with Andorra and strengthening cooperation in areas important for the future development of both countries, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini declared on Friday after receiving Andorran Prime Minister Xavier Espot Zamora at the Presidential Palace. The visit marked the first official trip by an Andorran prime minister to Slovakia and took place on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Pellegrini praised the existing cooperation between Slovakia and Andorra within international organisations and underlined the importance of multilateralism amid growing geopolitical tensions. In his view, the two countries share an interest in respecting international law, supporting dialogue and ensuring that effective cooperation among smaller states takes place in a multilateral environment. The head of state said that Slovakia wants to continue developing bilateral relations, including economic cooperation. He also welcomed progress in negotiations on an agreement to avoid double taxation. BRATISLAVA - Prime Minister Robert Fico met Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic at the Slovak Government Office in Bratislava on Friday to discuss combating illegal migration, organised crime and hybrid threats, which forms the foundations of security cooperation between the European Union and Serbia, TASR was told by the Government Office's press department on Friday. "Cooperation with the countries of the Western Balkans has long played an important role in our foreign policy, and we consider Serbia to be an important partner in this region. Our friendship and cooperation are built on solid foundations as well as cultural and historical ties," said the prime minister. Fico said that, due to its geographical position on the Western Balkans route, Belgrade also has strategic importance for the stability of the whole of Central Europe. In his view, open communication and strong regional cooperation are the best path towards stability in the Western Balkans region. According to the Slovak Government Office, Slovakia supports the enlargement of the European Union based on meeting the required criteria. "Slovakia has long been among the leading countries emphasising that Belgrade deserves a predictable continuation of the accession process," said Fico. BANSKA BYSTRICA - District Court in Banska Bystrica rejected on Friday Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok's (Voice-SD) motion to halt the distraint proceedings in favour of the police investigators centred around Jan Curilla, police officers' legal representative Peter Kubina posted on social media. "This ruling will become final upon its delivery to the parties, i.e., within two weeks at the latest. Immediately thereafter, in accordance with the law, a distraint order will be issued to the bank, on the basis of which the funds frozen in the debtor's account will be paid to the distraint officer for the benefit of the creditors," he stated. Kubina further noted that the distraint proceedings will continue until the entire amount owed is fully recovered, including all late-payment interest and costs. "When we add up all the late-payment interest, legal costs, and distraint-proceedings costs, the debtor's efforts - though extensive in quantity but relatively empty in substance - to reverse the irreversible have so far made this process approximately €40,000 more expensive," added Kubina. Under a judgment of Bratislava IV City Court on 10 September 2025, Sutaj Estok must apologise to the police officers around Jan Curilla for comparing them to the crime boss and multiple murderer Mikulas Cernak, who has been lawfully convicted. He must also pay six police officers compensation totalling €90,000, as well as legal costs and late-payment interest. am