Bratislava – The opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS) has criticized the Slovak government for its lack of action in foreign policy. They have specifically called out Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) for failing to take a definitive stance on recent U.S. decisions concerning Greenland and the EU. This criticism was presented during a press conference on Monday, as reported by TASR.
PS leader Michal Šimečka highlighted the escalating tensions between the USA and the European Union, emphasizing that these conflicts could adversely affect Slovakia’s security and economy. He drew attention to U.S. President Donald Trump‘s threat to impose import tariffs on eight European nations, which include EU member states, until the matter concerning Greenland’s acquisition by the U.S. is addressed.
Šimečka argued that both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Affairs Minister should have already expressed their positions on these developments. He referred to the situation as one of “maximum political alert” and emphasized that the Prime Minister should have informed the public about his meeting with Trump in Florida.
“Currently, the Slovak public lacks information about the specifics of the agreement concerning a nuclear reactor and details from the meeting between Prime Minister Fico and President Trump. It remains unclear whether the Slovak Prime Minister communicated our interests to the American President, addressed U.S. intervention in Venezuela, condemned the plans regarding Greenland, or indicated that a trade war would be detrimental, as well as whether he defended the principles of international law,” Šimečka noted.
PS presidium member Ivan Korčok stressed that prior to traveling to the USA, the Prime Minister should have articulated the objectives of his visit. He views the lack of communication regarding the meeting as a failure toward international partners. Additionally, he criticized Fico for not responding promptly to Trump’s tariff threats, suggesting it would have been appropriate to convene the Security Council of the Slovak Republic in such circumstances.
National Council member Tomáš Valášek (PS) remarked that a “normal” government would be engaging with allies about the potential loss of the USA as a partner, and should consider increasing defense investments in response.
Foreign Affairs Chief Juraj Blanár stated that Slovakia upholds the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states, asserting that based on consistent application of international law principles, it recognizes Greenland as part of Denmark, just as it views Crimea as part of Ukraine and Kosovo as part of Serbia.
Last Saturday, Trump threatened to impose a ten percent tariff on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1st. This tariff is expected to remain in place until the Greenland acquisition issue is resolved and could rise to as much as 25 percent starting June 1st. (19 January)
“We do not know whether the Slovak Prime Minister conveyed to the American President our interests, the interests of the EU, whether he condemned the American intervention in Venezuela or the plans to occupy Greenland, whether he told him that a trade war would be counterproductive.” – Michal Šimečka.
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