Pellegrini: EU Must Deliver Tangible Results for People

Bratislava, 12 June (TASR) - The European Union must deliver tangible results for its inhabitants and strengthen their trust in the common European project, President Peter Pellegrini declared after receiving European Parliament President Roberta Metsola at the Presidential Palace on Friday, TASR learnt from the President's Office press department on the same day. "The Slovak people perceive the benefits of the European Union in very concrete terms, through the free movement of people, the Erasmus+ programme, the Schengen area and support for regions. It is precisely these kinds of results that strengthen trust in the European Union," said the president. The talks focused on European security and defence. Pellegrini stressed that Europe must assume greater responsibility for its own security and bolster its defence capabilities in cooperation with NATO. "The Union cannot be merely an economic project. It must be capable of protecting its citizens and responding to new security challenges," he stated. Regarding the situation in Ukraine, the head of state said that Slovakia supports Ukraine's future within the European sphere, but the enlargement process must remain based on clear rules and merit. He recalled the specific assistance that Slovakia is providing to Ukraine in the humanitarian, development and energy sectors. "A secure and stable Ukraine is important for the security of the whole of Europe. The European Union must therefore play an active role in efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace," stated the president. mf/df