Chrenek: Slovakia Is Important Part of Europe

Bratislava, November 28 (TASR) – Differing views on the further development of the European Union (EU), criticism, but also positive features concerning the Union’s policies overwhelmed an HNClub Europe at Crossroads event organised by Hospodarske Noviny daily on Tuesday.

“I think it was a very good discussion on specific issues, such as what the EU needs and what reforms it should focus on. It’s good that we discussed specific issues regarding the eurozone, the competitiveness of Europe or the tax area,” head of the European Commission’s Representation in Slovakia Dusan Chrenek told TASR after the debate.

He went on to say that despite the fact that the views of speakers were differing, they all concurred that the leaders should joint forces so that the Union works better.

Slovak MEP and Opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party head Richard Sulik wants to return many competences to the national level and is very critical vis-a-vis the eurozone, thinks Chrenek.

According to former finance minister (2002-06 and 2010-12) Ivan Miklos, the Union is strong as a whole and it offers a lot to Slovakia, but it needs tools in order to work effectively.

Chrenek further told TASR that Slovakia forms an important part of Europe and it’s in the country’s utmost interest to be in a debate on EU’s future and to shape it to a certain extent in order to make it stronger.

According to the head of the European Commission’s Representation, the measures adopted by the EU have improved its development, as the Union has recorded economic growth in the five consecutive years. He added that public finance deficits have dropped sharply in all countries, going down from more than 6 percent on average to the current 1 percent. Moreover, public debts and unemployment have dropped as well, stated Chrenek.