Pellegrini: EU Must Deliver Tangible Results for People (2)

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. Pellegrini and Metsola also discussed the future of EU enlargement. The president highlighted the reform efforts of the Western Balkan countries and underlined that the Union's credibility partly depends on its ability to honour commitments to partners making progress in the integration process. "If Europe wants to remain credible, it must be fair. Countries that meet the conditions and implement reforms must see a genuine prospect of membership of the European Union," he added. Pellegrini also praised the role of the European Parliament as the Union's only directly elected institution, and he underscored the importance of an open dialogue between European and national leaders. "Even when opinions differ, we must preserve room for substantive and respectful discussion. Only in this way can we strengthen European unity and find solutions that benefit the inhabitants of all member states," he said. The two officials also discussed preparations for the EU's next multi-annual budget for the 2028-2034 period, the bloc's competitiveness, support for the automotive sector and energy policy. During her visit to Bratislava, Metsola also met House Chair Richard Rasi and Prime Minister Robert Fico. NOTE: This story has been extended to include the final six paragraphs mf/df