Address by the President of the Slovak Republic at the New Year’s meeting with members of diplomatic corps accredited in the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, 10. 1. 2011

Your Excellency, the Apostolic Nuncio,
Distinguished Minister,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Only a few days ago we celebrated the Christmas and New Year holidays. The holidays that bring together people of good will, unite families and also nations, and bring the spirit of understanding which we wish to see to prevail in Slovakia, in the families, in our region and in the entire Europe. Together and in understanding we can better prosper, live and face the challenges that these dynamic and turbulent times put before us.

It was a complicated year, both in political and economic terms, for the world as well as Slovakia. Slovakia held the general elections to the National Council of the Slovak Republic, witnessed the establishment of a new coalition government, as well as the municipal elections. We fought the economic crisis quite well. Even though the light at the end of the tunnel is still nowhere to be seen, the Slovak citizens have delivered a commendable performance - both through their work and social patience. They deserve my admiration and respect.

As far as the political situation in the Slovak Republic is concerned, the diplomats are surely interested in the developments on our domestic political scene, in the way policy actors and institutions communicate, and in the developments in creating conditions for investment and the situation in the judiciary. You are concerned over the level of corruption. I wish to assure you that even in a politically divided society I understand my role as being independent of all political influences and in line with my credo “thinking nationally, feeling socially”. I am acting “pro bono publico” (for the public good). My communication with the key political actors is such that allows me to keep the possibility to assist in sustaining, through political dialogue, the political, economic and social stability of our country. Naturally, this approach requires that the partners are also willing to that. So far, I can find that will in a majority of cases. At the same time, I believe that with respect to addressing the essential issues related to law-making, social policy or crucial positions of our country on the international scene, the European and, in general, international affairs should be more discussed by competent state authorities, the parliament and the government, rather than by individuals or narrow inter-party forums having no legal legitimacy.

Last year, the political debate in Slovakia often revolved around the independence of the judiciary. I think that the problem with reforming the Slovak judicial system is, to ever larger extent, the system’s politicalisation. The independent and apolitical system which is supposed to protect the rights and interests of the citizens has changed into an instrument of domestic policy. Unfortunately, however, many of our politicians and judges have failed to understand that the impartiality and independence of a judge is not a benefit that democracy brings to judges but it is a benefit for the citizens in the first place. It is the citizens in the first place, not only judges, who should rely on the political independence, lawfulness and fairness of the judiciary.

I also have concern over general perception of the problem of corruption. You, too, speak about it, even publicly sometimes. Unfortunately, the problem is linked with a lower legal certainty in society. Corruption is an illness whose removal unconditionally requires cooperation from those who have knowledge of it. The reporting obligation applies to all, including foreign entrepreneurs. Remedying the judicial system, respect for and enforcement of the law requires simultaneous improvements in the legal awareness within society, including with the help of a new business culture that trading or investment companies bring to Slovakia. At least, that is what we expect from them.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The past year was also important from the aspect of comprehensive global and European security. I represented Slovakia at the historical NATO summit in Lisbon where a new Strategic Concept of the Alliance was adopted. The summit also launched a new era in the relations with strategic partners, the European Union and Russia in particular, and refined our strategy for Afghanistan. Prospects for the achievement of our goals are good. Slovakia is taking such actions so as to confirm its determination to meet its allied commitment to bear its share of responsibility for the peace and stability in Europe and in the world. I have recently seen it in person, during my visit to the Slovak contingent stationed at the military base in Kandahar.

I also attended the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe summit in Astana, held after 11 years. The summit did not receive too much positive reception from the media. However, I recommend that its meagre results be read with deliberation and pragmatism. We roughly achieved what could be achieved - we created room to continue in search for new frameworks for talks. After all, this is what the international policy is about - any negotiations are much more acceptable than military confrontation and a failure to communicate. I also made this point at the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly. Slovakia considers the United Nations Organizations a key platform for the communication of global political and security issues because, even if some larger countries of the world meet in smaller formats to discuss the global affairs, the UN is the only platform that provides the necessary international law framework for global actions. Asia, Africa and Latin America also find their fair share of room there.

We were witnesses to significant changes in the European Union last year. It was the year when the Treaty of Lisbon was introduced into practice, the new Commission set up and the European External Action Service launched; it was the year of remedying financial and economic problems of Greece and Ireland. However, I cannot get rid of the feeling that the past year yielded more questions than answers in the Union. These questions are essential for us, because Slovakia sees its future strategically linked with the future of a unified Europe. We feel politically co-responsible for this European project, even despite the ill-conceived statements by some politicians about a possible reintroduction of the former Slovak koruna. Despite the controversy on the understanding of European solidarity. Despite the uncertainties associated with the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon and the European Financial Stability Facility. Despite the impression that the emphasis on a joint action is felt to have grown weaker in the Union and that smaller countries are not invited to discussions on a coordinated approach to some crucial topics right from the start.

Slovakia will staunchly promote such solutions within the EU that will preserve its redistribution policy and create protection mechanisms that may prevent the occurrence of such national-level crisis scenarios as we witnessed last year.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The understanding and stability in the Central European region, the understanding and good neighbourly relations are extremely important for Slovakia’s stability and prosperity. This is exactly what we sought in our relations with the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Austria and Ukraine, including within the Visegrad Group. I am glad to say that the last year, just as the whole period of the previous twenty years, confirmed the elementary level of confidence among the Visegrad Group members and a positive experience from our cooperation. It is an excellent framework on which the current Slovak presidency of this Group may also build. We want to intensify our regional cooperation within the framework of the Slovak Presidency of the Visegrad Group and, at the same time, assist the Hungarian, and subsequent Polish, presidency of the EU. It will also contribute to a better perception of the EU in our region.

I do not intend to ignore the issue of Slovak-Hungarian relations as they gave raise last year to much controversy about the rights of members of the Hungarian minority living in Slovakia. We strictly abide by the international law principle that the state holds a primary responsibility for the care of its national minorities and ethnic groups and that the state creates the necessary legislative framework for the exercise of minority rights. I wish to refer to Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution of the Slovak Republic which stipulate the rights of national minorities and ethnic groups in a precise, human and social manner. This standard is high in Slovakia. We create conditions to make all minorities and ethnic groups really feel at home in Slovakia. It is our utmost concern. On the other hand, we can hardly understand why our neighbour, instead of measures of neighbourly confidence, and against the logic of the European idea and historical memory, seeks to establish weird legal bonds with our citizens. Therefore we wish and will discuss these issues and look for reasonable solutions through political dialogue.

Our bilateral relations with the United States of America, our key partners in the EU and NATO, with Russia and other eastern partners, as well as our policy in the Western Balkans and relations with the countries of the Arab world, Asia, Africa and Latin America would surely deserve more attention in my address. There is not enough room for that but we can discuss them at any time, either jointly or individually. Therefore I wish to note that in my contacts with your top officials I have always stressed that we appreciate cooperation and the possibility to hold open and genuine dialogue based on mutual respect with each of you. Respect for the partner and observance of the international law have been, and will always form unvarying foundations of our foreign policy.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am aware that your work and the information you share may influence the image of the Slovak Republic among political representations of your countries. Please, I would like to ask you to keep this in mind throughout the whole of this year. I wish you much empathy and a good and impartial judgment when assessing political and economic developments in Slovakia and in the region. To your countries, their leaders and your families, I wish health, peace and economic and social stability and prosperity throughout the entire year 2011.