Opposition Urges Pellegrini to Reject Kmec and Radacovsky as Ambassadors

Bratislava, 10 June (TASR) - Opposition parties Progressive Slovakia (PS), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), the Christian Democrats (KDH) and the extra-parliamentary Democrats have urged President Peter Pellegrini to reject MPs Peter Kmec (Voice-SD) and Miroslav Radacovsky (Independent) as ambassadors to Italy and Cyprus, their representatives told a press conference on Wednesday. They called on Pellegrini to refrain from the final step of signing and handing over credentials to Kmec and Radacovsky, as they aren't suitable candidates for ambassadorial posts. "This sends a message from the president to the head of the host country, that is, to Cyprus and Italy in this case, about who actually represents him as head of state, but also the entire Slovak Republic," stated PS vice-chair Ivan Korcok, who warned that if there's a change in government after the general election, these posts will undergo changes as well, because ambassadors should be individuals of integrity and ability. According to SaS MP Juraj Krupa, Slovakia mustn't become a country that sends just anyone abroad. He highlighted the importance of the ambassadorial post in Cyprus. "For example, we have 238 soldiers there, we're in charge of Sector 4, which means there's a link to the United Nations, and we simply have responsibilities of an international nature. We conduct a so-called bi-communal dialogue, which takes place twice a month, for which the ambassador really must be capable of moderating the debates between Turkish and Greek Cypriots," noted Krupa, adding that the situation in Cyprus is tense, while Radacovsky has already displayed both his incompetence and short temper. According to MEP Miriam Lexmann (KDH), Cyprus and Italy are crucial in terms of mutual and economic relations. She noted that Slovakia needs foreign investment, European Union (EU) funds and incentives that come with membership of such foreign structures, especially the EU. "However, they need confidence that these investment incentives will serve the common good within the EU and benefit Slovak citizens, rather than becoming a lucrative post for the chosen few," stressed Lexmann, adding that individuals with question marks hanging over them mustn't be sent to such countries. Monika Podhorany Masarikova from the Democrats party called on Pellegrini to stop going down the wrong path. According to her, this sends a message to young people that if they want to achieve something, blackmail is enough to become the ambassador to Cyprus, for instance. The President's Office responded last week by stating that it wouldn't comment on the process until its completion. Kmec pointed out that his nomination has already been approved by Italy and that he believes he will be a credible partner. If he receives his credentials from the president, he's due to take up office on 1 July. In the past, Kmec has served as Slovakia's ambassador to Sweden and the USA. Radacovsky expects his conduct as ambassador to be evaluated only after he assumes the post. Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) said last week that the "hysteria" over nominations of Slovak ambassadors goes beyond the bounds of common sense, stressing that every future Slovak ambassador must fulfil all the formal requirements without exception. jrg/df