Adress of the President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič to the floor of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, 6. 12. 2006

Speaker of the Parliament
Prime Minister,
Deputy President of the Constitutional Court
Members of Parliament,
Members of the Government,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,

I would like to adress you – unlike one year ago – on a more personal tune. My endeavour is to depict our current situation, its principal tendencies and possibilities of further development, as well as prominent expectations of our citizens on us all. I will not venture into everything, however, the fields I am going to mention, will pertain to all of us.

You might be asking ‘why today?’ And I say ‘why not?’ On St. Nicolas Days, between two watershed events – the municipal elections and the discussion of the national budget. With the Devil and the Angel (of course, I am joking).

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Right at the beginning I would like to emphasize that in 2006 the Slovakia has proved that it is a fully-fledged member of the European Union and the North-Atlantic Alliance, which has been confirmed at the talks in Riga. The Slovak Republic is a sovereign and responsible member of both organizations, a principal partner. It seeks the enforcement of all shared values, principles of democracy and toletance.

I consider 2006 a year of relatively balanced external relations of Slovakia. This has been manifested by our trips abroad, as well as visits of our foreign partners to Slovakia, which have all served to deepen economic, cultural and human cooperation. The cooperation of the Visegrad Four is of principal importance to Slovakia, contributing towards joint actions and pooling of influence, particularly in the European Union. Nevertheless, our cooperation with countries outside the European Union should also be considered essential. We have to extend our cooperation with Russia, as well as with China.

In fact, my recent visit to Russia confirmed the importance of actively dealing with all open issues in our economic cooperation and stabilising the mutual partnertnership relations. In my opinion, a guarantee of continuous gas and oil supplies to Slovakia is of great significance, not unlike an assurance that our country will continue to be an important transit country for the export of Russian raw materials to the West.

The membership of Slovakia in the UN Security Council is convincingly testifies the credibility of our country in the international community. The Security Council agenda is very demanding and its influence on gloibal affairs and international security and stability is formidable. Particularly because in the 21st century the world is still full of violence, civil unrest, famine, poverty and suffering. It has proved extremely difficult to find a “panacea“ for all pains. The UN Security Council seeks to find peaceful solutions. We are convinced that Slovakia as a non-permanent member significantly contributes to its efforts.

The year 2006 has also been a year of our new international ambitions. As I already pointed out, we promote a peaceful coexistence of all nations. However, we equally support the strengthening of security and defence strategy of the European Union and the endeavour to adopt an EU document with a legal force of constitutional guarantees. Slovakia also advocates a boosting of the Visegrad Four activities and the enlargement of its membership, as well as further enlargement of the EU.

According to an old saying, states have no enemies, only interests. If it is true, then it also holds true for communities of states. Consequently, I believe that the basic task of our current foreign policy is maintaing the right balance between our national interests and those of the European Union. I sincerely hope that we will succeed in gradually increasing the effectiveness of asserting our national interests in European Union bodies.

We have to carefully evaluate and coordinate the implementation of our interests, especially in cooperation with our partners in the Visegrad Four. This extends to the work of our Members of the European Parliament, too. Even though their status is one of a parlamentarian, at the same time their mission is one of an ambassador of our country. Their position of “two hats“ needs to be dealt with in our constitutional system. After all, I deem it natural and correct that representatives of Slovakia in the EU act as a single united entity.

This relates to the security and defence policy of the EU. It has been subject to frequent discussions, particularly since the outbreak of the conflict in Iraq, but currently also in relation to Afganistan. Naturally, its scope extends far beyond these issues. Today§s democracies are fighting to ensure the implementation of fundamental human values in everyday life.

Once we have accepted these values as our own – as guaranteed in our constitution – we are justifiedly expected to fulfil our mission, duties and rights by pursuing an active policy both at home and abroad. Most of all, we have to live up to the expectations of our allies. Admittedly, both the former and the current government have acted in line with such expectations, at the same time heeding our natural national interests.

Distunguished Members of Parliament
Distunguished Members Government,
Even though I stressed the stability of our external relations, our internal relations have been dynamic. After some collisions in the parliament, caused by the instability of parliamentary caucuses, our political representatives found common ground and adopted a decision on shorterning the electoral term.

I have already expressed my thanks to them in public for doing so and today I am repeating it. I highly appreciate the smooths course of elections, which was in accordance with the Constitution and the law. The same applies to the recent local elections. In the latter, citizens auhorised their representatives to put greater emphasis on dealing with their essential problems. Particularly on problems relating to the social and legal status of citizens and ensuring dignity for us all.

I believe that since my previous state of the nation address Slovakia has attained the objectives laid down in the Government Manifesto of 2002. It has achieved very positive macroeconomic indicators, with the reforms and their consequences being the greatest influences on our lives. Today we still call those reforms inevitable.

However, with the benefit of hindsight and practical experience we know that their impacts can be mitigated by greater harmony, a calmer pace and less radical steps. Even though the previous government did not welcome any criticism of the reforms, towards the end of their term they tried to do some “fine-tuning“ of reforms. In other words, they admitted that all the measures had been carried out to the satisfaction of a majority of the population. After all, this also had a bearing on the outcome of parliamentary elections in June. And that is the reality.

I am sure you agree with me that it is hard to keep an eye on all people and all parts of the country. However, politicians that do not only look at themselves, but rather at the entire country and who carefully perceive the problems of people by facing them on daily life, should not find impossible to “keep an eye“ on those who need it. Particularly if it is Slovakia’s regions and their stark social discrepancies. I believe that a more purpose-driven and effective way of investing EU funds in regions would do a great deal to alleviate many of the problems of local people, which undermine the social cohesion of our society.

I believe that investment into automobile industry has proven to be a success. However if we want to ensure that future investors will be attracted to Slovakia by more than low taxes, contributions a labour costs, we have to offer them an effective knowledge-based economy. One that is supported by our science, research, development and innovations. These factors are becoming increasingly important in deciding our future success. Therefore, with respect to our future aspirations, I believe that our key priority should be complex and integrated solutions aimed at ensuring that Slovakia is not lagging behind in technology.

Knowledge-based economy and competitiveness. They are not only fashionable fads. Their development in practice is a basic prerequisite for the success of any national strategy. Which is why there is a worldwide trend of re-evaluating our perceptions of research. For Slovakia it means that we have to renew our own innovation policy.

Without systemic thinking and education aimed at systemic thinking we will not succeed in such a renewal. The ability to understand the way issued are interrelated, to solve interdisciplinary problems, to assess the impact of new measures in the fields of investment, innovationsm technology and social changes depends on education, as well as on the overall climate in a society.

Responses to such global challenges cannot be found overnight. Innovation and education strategy require gradual and long-term investment. This was exactly the path taken by Ireland. Their strategy was adhered to irrespective of changes of government. And their success is obvious. We also have to find sufficient political will to channel our efforts on education and innovations. Or should we think this is a challenge that we are not up to? I do not think so. However, we have to make a firm decision and commitment without any further delay.

In setting the course we should no forget that we are not starting from scratch. Slovakia not only gave the world the fist cooperative, established by Mr. Jurkovič, including the methods of internal funding. Slovakia can also boast the first technical university for mining in Europe, as well as the first scientific association in the world. Several prominent figures, including Born, Lavoisier and Goethe stood by its birth in Trenčianske Teplice in 1789.

In this respect I would like to emphasize that the European Commission decided to establish the European Technological Institute. The Institute aims to become the flagship of cutting-edge quality in the field of innovation, research and education in Europe. Its objectives include quality and excellence, as well as an ability to innovate fast and effectively. These objectioves are sought to be achieved by means of the so-caled knowledge-based and innovative societies. In my opinion, we should start thinking about paving the path for the establishment of one of such centres in Slovakia. And if we indeed take that decision, we should express our interest much more actively than so far.

Knowledge and innovations are a challenge not only for a narrow group, but also for the society as a whole, including small and medium enterprises. Our government policy should thereofore focus not only on providing investment incentives and support to foreign investment, but also to promote domestic entrepreneurs. They are the ones who undoubtedly make up for a significant part of our domestic product, value added and new jobs. Moreover, they also serve to strengthen a healthy localpatriotism.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,
Immediately after the announcement of election results I outlined what will be the expectations facing new governing coalition. First of all that it will continue in a successful foreign policy, while at the same time strengthening economic diplomacy. This is already happening.

Furthermore, while continuing in the started reforms, by their implementation the new government is expected to take into consideration our social reality, as well as a principle that is well-established in the European Union, namely that a heterogenous society needs differentiated approaches. This necessity extends beyond social policy. Our society differentiated along several dividing lines: social, educational, cultural, confessional, interest-based, etc. A differentiated approach is one of the possible means of achieving a synergic effect, provided that we unite in goals, their contents and forms.

New social stratification has brought about considerable tension caused by poverty and social humiliation. Since this is not a problem of particular individuals, it must be tackled by the society at large, just like it is being tackled in entire democratic Europe.

We have also struggled to solve this problem. As a matter of fact, in past poverty and social humiliation were perceived and associated in relation to old-age pensioners and senior citizens. However research conducted by our scientific centres has demonstrated that in Slovakia poverty has greatest impact on children up to the age of 15, young people up to the age of 24 and young families.

By the way, these findings have been corroborated by the results of a research project by Queen Mary University of London, which studied poverty and social exclusion. They reveal that in Slovakia, children from poor families do not tend to receive such quality of education, qualification, important information, useful contacts, overview of global affairs and development as children from more affluent families”.

According to the research, not only do the poor lose their former social relations, but poverty is also becoming hereditary. What struck British researchers most on the results from Slovakia, was the resignation characterized by the sentence: “we have come to terms with our poverty, we will somehow manage, what matters is that our children have a better life”. British experts believe that “if we succumb to the current neoliberal model, the life of our children will not be better.”

Which is another reason why, in my opinion, our society needs to develop social solidarity as a commitment to mutual help, based on personal success of ones and individual responsibility of the others. The implementation of this principle into real-life, everyday practice, should be a mission of all of us, particularly the the government and the parliamentary opposition.

Ladies and gentelemen,
In this respect I would like to stress that if we discuss many ways how to reach a certain goal, that is not tantamount to questioning that goal or its essence. We do not have to agree with certain aspects of the current path, we may have certain justified objections, however, we should give it a chance. That is a part and parcel of democracy.

A modern European welfare state, knowledge-based economy, education and culture, social and legal guarantees, dignity for everyone. These are the ideals of November 1989, these are the values which we embedded into our constitution during the creation of our state. I consider all steps taken to achieve these objectives as constitutional and justified.

Besides the value of liberty (which is always vulnerable!) nowadays we also stress the significance of equal opportunities and solidarity, thus accepting the concept prevalent in the north of Europe, in Germany and France. This is a legitimate concept. However, it can only be implement it in real life if it is based on civic consent and support, which bring about the synergic effect that I mentioned.

The parliamentary election this year has proved that the society is ready for such an agreement, in fact it wants to embark upon such path. They say that the fortune favours those who are courageous. Nonetheless, the courageous also have to be well-prepared.

I cannot emphasize enough that these days it is especially expertise and team approach that are expected from us. This includes the ability to lead a dialogue. If the current government has decided to renew the social dialogue, I believe such a decision is commendable.

If the government manage to ensure for example that the collective bargaining agreements between employers and employees become one of the basic tools of legal and social certainty in labour relations, it will have an undoubtedly easier task in searching for an optimum project of a modern welfare state for Slovakia.

I believe that the Government Manifesto was very ambitious in the field of social policy, as well as economically very demanding. It can only be successful it all of us will more actively encourage people to be interested in acquiring knowledge and skills, if all of us work to stabilise an active policy of employment.

Our citizens do not demand anything that they would not be entitled to. All they want is a decent life in dignity and a European perspective. This has been, still is and always will be the demand of citizens. And indeed, a legitimate one. One which I will always support.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,
Members of Government,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Since the assumption of my office I have visited many towns and villages; I often meet with people, local councillors, mayors, regional governors. One of the facts I have learned during these meetings is that none of the regions is able to cover its needs individually and independently, they all need cooperation and solidarity. We need competition, rather than confrontation among the regions!

We all expect tailored policies and well-managed structural funds to accelerate the development of regions. However that requires greater expertise, responsibility and broader engagement in the preparation and decision-making concerning projects for the use of European Union funds. Since we still do not have sufficient experience with the system and drawing of funds, we tend to make unnecessary mistakes. However, there are many other issues that can only be effectively solved in cooperation with regions. We need to boost both the state authority and the authorit of regions. (For my part, I am considering meeting regional governors on a regular basis. And organizing more frequent discussions with citizens.)

Ladies and gentlemen, I assume that recent floods that threaten the world and Europe have caught your attention. We have our own experience with them. The most recent ones have revealed that people affected by floods find themselves as if in a trap and the state has not yet helped them to get out of this trap as has been promised and proclaimed.

Prevention is always better than the cure. However, we cannot find any preventive solutions unless we cooperate. Dealing with this problem will also test the cooperation of state administration with the European Union, with specialized expert centers, with local and regional self-government, with non-governmental organizations, as well as (in this case) with insurance companies.

Natural and ecological disasters, alongside the growing volumes of waste, are becoming increasingly serious threats of our civilisation. They also have a detrimental effect on our country. It is shocking how due to short-term financial benefit we are willing to import waste from abroad, even though we have problems dealing with our own. Do we fully appreciate the environmental threats? Any delays in tackling them only exacerbate their impact.

This brings me to the issue of water, where I would like to draw your attention to the upcoming global exhibition in Zaragoza in Spain, which will focus on water. Why? Because drinking water is becoming a strategic natural resource – also for Slovakia. However, at the same time it is an opportunity to promote Slovakia in the world. Because in our region water is associated with spa resorts, caves, fishing, water sports, mineral waters, etc. Water is life. In this context, I was alarmed to learn that water from some of the mountain wells in Tatras cannot be drunk, because it contains harmful substances. This might seem to be a detail, but it is of imperative significance.

Life and health are the greatest treasure of each individual, but also of the society as such. That is why both our constitution and our frequently challenged morality attach such hight importance to them. This is also true of law enforceability and personal safety of people in the streets. The first measures taken by the new government in this field can be hailed as steps in the right direction towards the expected guarantees. People hope that their health will not be perceived as goods that law will not only exist on paper and that they may walk the streets without any fear.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Various expert groups often call Slovakia the most open economy. In spite of that – according to the data of the Statistical Office – our imports still exceed our exports. Even though forecasts predict a reversal of this ratio thanks to car industry, I am not sure whether they take into account new commodities which we will have to import. These include energy.

Particularly eminent open issues, which the society expects will be dealt with, are energy and and food security and self-sufficiency.

Tackling energy self-sufficiency by means of completing the third and fourth blocks of the Mochovce nuclear plant is an acceptable solution – indeed, a necessary one. Especially given the fact that the construction is almost complete. However, we must remember that dealing with energy security also entails the issue of nuclear waste and its storage. Here, ecology should also have a green light.

Most of all, we need a clear and carefully drafted energy strategy, which will take into consideration all our possibilities as well as all weaknesses and pitfalls.

Theoretists as well as experts from practice should be consulted in the search for energy-saving measures. I think that here we should more intensively push forward with thermal insulation and reconstruction of houses and flats. Currently we are wasting heat, thus squandering people’s money, which could be spent much wiser, for example on education, healthier eating habits, health care, culture or holidays.

The project of thermal insulation of flats, especially in the context of modellign energy security, should be put back on the table of the European Commission. Its repeated rejection would be an important signal for Slovakia. After all, the reduction of energy consumption is just as important as searching for new energy sources in our efforts to increase energy security of the European Union, including Slovakia.

There is a lot of ongoing debate among people that we are purchasing energy much cheaper than we sell it to the consumers and I am thankful to the media for highlighting this discussion. I expect the distribution companies to correctly and clearly explain to our citizens the rationale of energy prices. And this includes not only gas prices, but also electric enery, fuel, heat and water prices, etc.

With respect to food security, an important pre-requisite for its improvement is cooperation, primarily with the European Union, but also with the Slovak Agricultural and Foodstuffs Chamber and Association of farming cooperatives and enterprises. Indeed, cooperation is a decisive factor in our agricultural and food policy. If we are not open and helpful, future negative development could threaten the very essence of farming business.

Agricultural sector is the key rural economic activity. In many regions it is an important source of employment. Its unfavourable development would therefore have repercussions on the standard of living in rural areas.

I consider discussion on the said topics and issues an inspiring one, emphasising our principal needs and possibilities. A decision to correct shortcomings in the field of food and energy security and self-sufficiency is therefore entirely logical and justified.

I would also like to underline that I advocate the thesis, whereby the state can be an equally good manager of its property as the private sector. Quality of management always depends on qualities of people entrusted with it. Their selection, as well as room for activity and an emphasis on personal responsibility are all imperative in this context.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,
Education and culture should also receive attention and help us in reinforcing the sence of humanity and morality in our society. They are the basic pre-requisites of solidarity and synergy. They form a bridge between an individual and his needs and between the needs and goals of the society. Therefore education and culture have to stand on solid foundations.

I consider education and culture the dominant imperatives of our era! Unfortunately, I have to admit that we have long-term shortcomings in this field. Under the Lisbon Strategy in 2005 we were supposed to submit a National Programme of Lifelong Learning, which is a key to knowledge-based economy and our future success. It was only Slovakia and Hungary who failed to do so.
Losing the pace in education narrows down our opportunities and at the same time, increases future risks – and I mean it!

The Government should initiate and manage changes in university education, rather than be catching up with them. The acceptance of the burden of paying for university education by the state is not a panacea to all problems. The government should get inspired by models, which activate coroporate sponsorships and individual financing.

We have to act to prevent well-educated people from leaving Slovakia to work abroad. Particularly in the case of those who take up jobs which are deep below their level of education, knowledge and skills.

I am convinced that education and creativity should work for the benefit of the society. For that purpose we need to complete the reform of content, methodological, didactical and tutorial aspects of education at all levels. The content and scope of curriculum should be adjusted to meet the modern demands of a knowledge-based economy. We have to enhance the social status of our teachers. Most of all, we need to motivate people to participate in lifelong learning and create conditions for its implementation.

Private business sector should be involved in the process of education at all levels. That is the only way how to find sufficient financial resources for education and development of research and innovatons. If we fail, we cannot expect these sectors to acqire new dynamics and their professional capacities to get a boost.

As for culture, the state should finally adopt a functional model of financing and take advantage of its across-board, nation-wide effects. The state should understand why it is paying for culture and losing out when there is a lack of it.

A culture-oriented society, one that utilizes culture, is becoming one of the fundamental characteristics of a modern society. Particularly in the context of globalisation we have to understand that national cultures are unique. A lack of support weakens them. For instance, if we want our artists to more convincingly depict our presence, as well as their direct relationship with our top national cultural values, they have to feel a backing of the state in this respect. Only then the national culture is able to engage in exchange of cultural values, in particular the European ones, as one of the basic tools of comparison and individual development.

Culture will thus be able to offer more to our youth, which is under the influence of mass culture and consumerism. Not only culture, but rather the society in general must pay attention to the youth. Some youngsters namely try to escape from the reality, they look for alternative solutions and models, which unfortunately often involves criminal activities. However, it is not only this part of our youth, but young people in general who often remark on the Janus-faced character of or society. And that is worrying, indeed.

We should also pay much more attention than up to now to leisure time activities of young people and to their transition into work processes. Government Manifesto only touches upon these issues. I also think that churches and religious associations, as well as non-governmental organizations, should play a more active role in the system of education of our young generation. We have to promote the activities of civic associations, which can help to solve the problems of our young generation with their specific projects.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We have a democratic political system, which has extended civil rights and liberties in comparison with the past. However, most people are still learning to use them, they still do not associuate freedom with responsibility.

Perhaps that is why main problems and tasks of national importance are a fight against such negative and detrimental phenomena as crime. It is almost hard to comprehend why crime is a significant issue in a society which we believe is well-educated and cultivated, affiliated with churches and religious institutions. It seems to me that hardly a day passes by without the perpetration of a manslaughter, bodily harm, fraud, bribery, theft, robbery, as well as morality-related crimes. I think we have to abandon the idea that harsh punishment will solve all problems.

Of course, it a person commits crime, he must be detected, prosecuted, convicted and suffer a sanction. However, modern criminology stresses the importance of prevention in its all aspects – social, educational, moral. This should happen by analysing the causes and conditions of criminality and their elimination. However, we can only reverse existing trends by raising the morality, culture, education, practical humanism and legal awareness in line with the spirit of the Constitution of the Slovak Republic. I think that in this field we all still have considerable room for improvement.

Distinguished Members of Parliament, Members of Government,
The world, including the European Union, seem to have enough of their own problems, therefore it should not come to us as a surprise that they may fail to notice certain aspects of life in Slovakia. The international community has accepted our independence, however almost immediately as if they forgot that our citizens – following many years of “submission” – are still very sensitive about our national position and our sovereignty as such.

Slovakia very willingly deals with all issues relating to the rights of minorities and ethnical groups. I have repearedly declared that Slovakia will maintain all the attained successes. However, it seems that such friendly “gestures” of Slovakia are often seen from abroad as a recognition that minorities and ethnic groups in Slovakia are subject to mistreatment, which we then have to make up for. In fact, compared with other countries the constitutional, as well as the actual status of these groups goes far beyond the standard.

So what has gone wrong? I think we let a number of individuals to interpret the civil rights and their implementation in Slovakia. Whereby that relation is much broader and more sensitive. This has been confirmed by my joint steps with Hungarian president, Mr. Solyom, in the form of lectures for students at Slovak and Hungarian universities. Let’s not be shy to promote the positive way in which we deal with minorities policy within the EU.

With respect to the Roma population, I believe that the previous government has taken steps that should be supported. For example the work of the so-called Roma assistants. It also thanks to their help that we have an opportunity to increase the level of education, culture of this group of population, as well as its integration into the society. But above all, to decrease their dependence on social aid.

Members of Parliament,
To conclude my speech, I will briefly mention some problems, which have a great impact on the overall climate in our society. Objective awareness, legality and constitutionality. Because they will have a great influence on our future.

The Slovak Association of Journalists sent me a letter (and certainly not only to me). Later I had a meeting in person with its executive directors, who demanded that an new Law on Press be adopted. They would like to prevent the occurrence of unnecessary, often unsavoury problems in this field, which are often a result of unverified, unobjective information. We should support their efforts.

We should also support the settlement of problems that often appear in public media. Their activity should be viewed as something that is for the benefit for the entire society, on the basis of law and within its limits. We should also strengthen the authority of law and moral responsibility of those who are charged with ensuring the implementation of and compliance with the laws. This pertains both to the state and executive bodies.

Both the history and the current state of global affairs show us that there is not – and never will be – such thing as a society without any problems. As I found out during my summer visit to Germany, problems can be an incentive for a progress of a society. Due to the globalisation of international economy and the development in the European Union it became necessary to re-adjust the competences between the federal government and the Länder. Accordingly, German politicians did not hesitate to undertake the most deep-cutting constitutional reforms in the recent era.

Recently I have heard a number of expert discussions relating to the Treaty Establishing Constitution for Europe as well as the Slovak Constitution. Many of them concerned the national element and citizenship following our accession to the European Union. I believe that we have overcome a solid period of development, the results of which encourage us to reflect them in legislation and in practical politics. Still, the results of these discussions and decisions have to be based on a deep interest and consensus of political forces participating in the parliamentary decision-making. In order to adopt them, a high degree of political culture and ethics is necessary, as well as a nationwide agreement on a broad basis.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,
In conclusion, allow me to outline the basic development trends, emphasise their decisive objectives, their possibilities and preconditions as I see them.

Our predominant national interest – from the perspective of a Head of the State, which necessarily has to be the one of a citizen – is a life full of dignity and a European perspective for all. This paramount goal can only be realistically achieved if there are certain pre-requisites and frameworks in place. I managed to sum them up in seven tenets:

First, the continuity of our foreign and security policy, which is a part of the EU and the NATO foreign and security policy. The boosting of activities and authority of the Visegrad Four. In increasing our activities in the field of economic diplomacy. Respecting the fact that not only the world, but also the economic area has four directions.

Second, the continuity of reform steps. Of course, we have to take into account the principle that a heterogenous society needs differentiated approaches. There are no definitive solutions in reforms. Which is why we have to form a modern welfare state of European type for Slovakia. Of course, including the involvement of experts in this process.

Third, focus on education, science, research, development and innovations, which are a precondition of a successful knowledge-based economy and society. Education, creativity and culture are an economic and ethical imperative of our times. Without their systemic inclusion into the process of synergy, without their professional foundation and without significant financial support our reform efforts will lose breath. They will only become a patch on burning issues.

Fourth, protection of natural resources: soil, water and forests. Deepening of methodology of protection and a more intensive inspection of environment are not only basic tools of their revitalisation, as well as a reflection of modern patriotism.
Fifth, energy and food security and self-sufficiency are becoming crucial both for the EU and for Slovakia. It is expected that we will show more courage, concepts, eye for detail and cooperation.

Sixth, promoting assistance, cooperation and competition between regions. The viability of this objective lies in an attractive policy of employment, increasing the quality of projects and effectiveness of the use of structural funds, strengthening of authority of regional government.

Seventh, the society is rejecting the concept of health becoming goods, law existing on paper, walking the streets with fear. Therefore, in line with the constitution we are strengthening legality and morality, which are a mirror of our culture level. They are crucial means of positive steps in dealing with daily problems of our citizens.

Distinguished Members of Parliament, Members of Government,
I sincerely hope that we will find mutual understanding in future. That we will not fear problems arising in each society, but rather try to solve them by mutual understanding and mutual implementation for the benefit of both inviduals and the society. The Pope’ journey to Turkey was a sign of great courage. He was also looking for cooperation in creating a peaceful and humane society. I believe that we should look for such cooperation in Slovakia, too, in order to contribute to an acceptable society with humanity and cooperations as its principal aims.

Thank you for your attention.