Blanar: Europe Must Be Able to Actively Pursue its Interests

Zagreb/Bratislava, 26 August (TASR-correspondent) - Europe must strengthen its security and economic competitiveness and build strong partnerships in a changing international environment so that it can actively pursue its interests and shape its future, Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) stated on Wednesday. Blanar made the remarks at the annual conference of Croatian ambassadors, consul generals, consuls and defence attaches in Zagreb, where he was the keynote foreign speaker. "We are living through a period of fundamental geopolitical change, in which Europe's security rests on its economic strength, resilience and ability to build strong partnerships. If we do not want decisions about our future to be made without us, Europe must be prepared to take on greater responsibility and actively shape the international environment," Blanar said. He noted that Slovakia and Croatia are united by firm membership of the European Union and NATO, close historical and cultural ties, and a shared interest in a secure, prosperous and united Europe. He also accentuated that if Europe wants to fulfil its political ambitions and pursue its interests around the world, it must have a strong economic foundation. For Slovakia, one of the world's most open economies, EU competitiveness is particularly important, he added. The foreign affairs minister identified a functioning single market, support for investment and innovation, affordable energy prices, and reducing excessive administrative and regulatory burdens as key priorities. According to Blanar, EU enlargement is also an important part of Europe's future. "Slovakia continues to support the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries and stresses that the enlargement process must remain based on meeting clear conditions and the principle of the individual merits of candidate countries," he said. Slovak foreign policy is based on dialogue, mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation, and develops relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific and countries of the Global South, claimed Blanar. Another pillar of Slovakia's foreign policy is multilateralism, which is an important tool for smaller countries such as Slovakia and Croatia to pursue their interests and strengthen international security. "Our candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2028-2029 is based precisely on the principles of respect, dialogue, stability and peace. I am pleased that 123 countries have already expressed support for our candidacy, which we see as an opportunity to take on greater responsibility and actively contribute to maintaining international peace and security," Blanar added. mf