On the occasion of the traditional New Year’s meeting, President Ivan Gašparovič received at the Presidential Palace more than one hundred diplomats accredited in the Slovak Republic.
In his speech the President mentioned that the main subject of this New Year’s wishes concerned the accession of Slovakia to the Eurozone. “Despite overt fears of various consequences that this change may bring, I wish to point out that we are proud of our country, which is once again one step further in the process of wider and firmer European integration and the strengthening of our international position,” the President said.

In the context of international policy the President mentioned the change of presidents of two world superpowers, as well as the negative consequences of international policy such as local wars and the world financial and economic crisis. “Needless to say, during the first days of 2009 countries in our region have been shaken by an energy crisis which has put Slovakia’s economy in serious jeopardy and forced many industries to stop production. If the current situation prevails, hospitals, schools and households might be affected soon as well. Therefore the Government must solve this situation even by the use of unconventional decisions and steps. On a European scale, our focus was aimed at - among other events – discussions on the Lisbon Treaty adoption and the possible consequences which will affect further development of the new Europe. I hope that the half-year Slovak chairmanship over the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe also confirmed that the Slovak Republic has established its position of a sovereign state with firm principles of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights protection,” Ivan Gašparovič said. The Slovak President expressed his wish to the diplomatic corps that the EU declares the year 2009 a year of solidarity. He also made a wish “that we all strive together to rid this world of violence, poverty and terror”.

The Dean of the diplomatic corps, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Slovakia, Mons. Mario Giordana spoke on behalf of the diplomats present. Mr. Giordana passed on the greetings and wishes of all the best from presidents, authorities and people which they represent in Slovakia. In his speech Mr. Giordana also emphasised the importance of responsibility which the future has to be faced with. In his opinion, events of the past year “make new hopes for Slovakia in the future relevant. Your country, Mr. President, continues to gain more and more credibility as a part of the community of developed countries which is able to return the original meaning to basic rights and freedoms, and which is able to function as an ambassador for people and countries that lack freedom and rights,” the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Slovakia said.