The right of individual nations to veto key European Union decisions must remain in place, says Slovakia, because EU members “do not forfeit their sovereignty” when joining the bloc.
The comments come in reaction to a controversial passage in a new Dutch coalition agreement claiming Slovakia and Hungary are “actively undermining Europe”.
The new minority Dutch Government says it wants to make it easier to strip nations of their European Union voting rights and take away EU funds if those countries act in what are perceived as euro-sceptic ways.
Slovakia, Hungary and other countries have in the past used vetoes to delay EU actions, such as sanctions or aid, often demanding exemptions or concessions.
In a reaction to Brussels Signal yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic issued a rebuttal of claims made in the coalition agreement of the incoming Dutch Government.
Foreign minister Juraj Blanár emphasised Slovakia’s commitment to the EU while defending the country’s right to protect its national interests.
“The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic is closely following the process of forming the new Dutch minority government,” the statement begins.
“We strongly object to the completely unfounded designation of Slovakia in the coalition agreement of the yet-to-be-appointed government as a country that allegedly ‘actively undermines Europe.'”
The minister underscored that the EU remains Slovakia’s primary political and economic framework.
“The European Union is Slovakia’s fundamental political and economic space and we are a responsible and constructive European partner,” he said.
He stressed, though, the importance of national sovereignty within the bloc: “By joining the EU, member states do not forfeit their sovereignty. Therefore, if developments take a direction we consider incorrect, the Government of the Slovak Republic will always defend Slovakia’s national interests.
“Moreover, the issues we raise are also important for the EU itself and its future,” Blanár said.
The statement highlighted core EU principles: “The European Union was founded on the principles of mutual respect and equality among Member States; therefore, preserving the right of veto in areas where it still applies is of great importance for the future of the EU and cannot serve as grounds for attacking European partners or imposing sanctions.”
The Dutch coalition agreement includes proposals to simplify the Article 7 procedure, that is designed to suspend a member state’s voting rights for breaches of EU values, and to end the unanimity requirement for foreign and security policy decisions.
It explicitly names Hungary and Slovakia as examples of countries that “actively undermine Europe” and calls for measures such as withholding EU funds from Hungary.
Blanár’s response concluded by noting diplomatic action: “This message has been conveyed to our Dutch partners through standard diplomatic channels, together with a call for open and sincere dialogue.
“Diversity of opinion combined with open debate constitutes the very essence of the European Union and, paradoxically, is also an integral part of Dutch political culture,” he said.
