Address by the President of the Slovak Republic to the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, 13. 1. 2005

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Six months in office working in my capacity as the Head of the State were a good opportunity for me to get acquainted with the members of the diplomatic corps, who in their countries help to shape the image of the Slovak Republic and of the opportunities for our cooperation. We care to make this image as objective as possible and to make this cooperation as productive as possible.

During this brief period, I myself have tried to maximize the effect of my foreign policy activities, be it through my foreign trips (ČR, Poland, Germany, India, Malaysia), my participation at various multilateral forums (Istanbul, New York, Brussels), my meetings with various foreign partners (president of Austria, Cyprus, and other senior government representatives) or my communication with you – the representatives of your countries.

Many of you saw and witnessed the long-term consensus among our domestic political forces when it comes to living up to our integration aspirations. Last year, Slovakia achieved its main priorities. We joined the EU and NATO and our fully fledged membership in both organizations triggered a shift in the nature of our international standing.

Today, after our accession to the EU and NATO, we are striving to show our reliability, responsibility and our added value.
- Reliability in that we stand behind our commitments.
- We do not dodge our share of responsibility for the developments in the region, in Europe and on a global scale. Quite to the contrary – we want and we will actively shoulder this responsibility.
- We see our added value in our ability to contribute our experience, insight and perspectives that others might lack.

In the year ahead, against the backdrop of our international aspirations, we want to conclusively show
- that we are a constructive and reliable ally and partner both in the EU and NATO and
- that we will wisely use the trust placed in us in the form of our membership in both organizations, which also means that we will put this trust at risk.

I am confident that this effort of ours will be showcased at the presidential summit to be held in Bratislava. Without commenting in advance on the importance of this meeting, this is for Slovakia a truly unique event that will without any doubts attract your professional attention as well as the attention of the whole world.

In the upcoming year, Slovakia is also given to show itself as a good partner to those countries that lay outside the EU and NATO and that deserve a place in Slovakia’s foreign-policy focus because of the mutual benefits to be gained from our cooperation. I saw this first hand during my recent visit to India and Malaysia. And I will be looking to personally promote stronger cooperation with countries located outside Europe, so that more diplomatic activities are focused on this cooperation..

On a global scale, the way things turn out to be often puts us in singular situations in which we have to make a stance and take decisions based on solidarity. The unprecedented natural disaster in South Eastern Asia stirred up the conscience of both leaders and people around the world. I am confident that Slovakia’s assistance to the catastrophe-struck area will also be adequate. After all, last year we were on the receiving end of timely assistance and solidarity when the finest gem in Slovakia’s natural treasure trove – the High Tatras – was struck by a natural disaster of an unprecedented scale. We extend our sincere gratitude for all manifestations of assistance that we received from so many countries.

I very much appreciate the attention that you as the representatives of your countries dedicate to Slovakia and its international ambitions. I appreciate your matchmaking efforts that you make to forge bonds between relevant stakeholders and counterparts, be it in your countries or in Slovakia. And I wish to continue working with you in this direction in my official capacity.

To many of you, Slovakia is an interesting country on account of the reform processes and changes in society that we currently undergo. I believe that these reforms are necessary and that we have to stay our course in this respect. However, I already mentioned in my New Year’s address that, in my opinion, these reforms should be as painless as possible for those who have to bear the consequences and that efforts to coordinate these reforms should be maximized so we can reap the benefits as early as possible.

I am confident that this way Slovakia will convey the most objective image to the countries abroad and that it will be seen as a country with a solid position on a regional, European and global scale. Because in 2005, these three geopolitical frameworks will call for our renewed efforts in foreign policy.

In the context of Central Europe, Slovakia intends to be a reliable and fair neighbour and an active player in the V4 regional cooperation. We are also looking to be a constructive participant of the process aimed at bringing the ratification process of the EU Constitutional Treaty to a successful close. At the same time, again the backdrop of our internal priorities, we are commitment to keep up the efforts to stabilize the Western Balkans and to underpin the pro-European orientation of the Ukraine. We are determined to capitalize on our contacts with countries that lay outside the EU and NATO, whereby we will also be looking to the Third World for new partners in bilateral cooperation. And from a global perspective, it is in our national interest to remain within the community of countries that are determined to make the fight against terrorism more effective and deal with the new challenges introduced by the process of globalization.

In closing, I wish you and your families all the best for 2005. Also, I extend to you and all your colleagues at the embassies my best wishes for success in and gratification from your professional endeavours. Because these endeavours are a true contribution to the bilateral relations between Slovakia and your countries.

I am looking forward to the maintaining these relations with you. Cheers!

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