Csefalvayova: I Fail to Understand SNS Reaction, We Meet Gov't Manifesto

Bratislava, August 8 (TASR) – Parliamentary foreign affairs committee chair Katarina Csefalvayova (Most-Hid) has said that she sees no reason to tender her resignation, while conceding that the demand from the fellow coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) that she should do so caught her off guard, TASR learnt on Wednesday.

“With my stances, I’ve always supported and translated into practice the official pro-European and Euroatlantic orientation of Slovak foreign policy, also anchored in the Government Manifesto. The committee session on Wednesday was also convened with an eye towards affirming and supporting the foreign policy of this Cabinet,” stated Csefalvayova.

The committee chair added that she doesn’t intend to give space to politicians who cast doubt on efforts to observe official Slovak foreign policy priorities and its values.

The foreign affairs committee on Wednesday adopted a resolution in which it rejected attempts to legitimise the annexation of Crimea via visits by Slovak constitutional officials. The resolution came in response to a recent visit to Crimea made by Independent MP Peter Marcek. As the resolution was passed, however, SNS demanded Csefalvayova’s ouster from her post of committee chair, citing a breach of the coalition agreement. The motion was supported by almost all lawmakers present, with only one MP abstaining. SNS and Smer-SD members excused themselves from participating, however.