BRATISLAVA, September 8, (WEBNOVINY) — Finance Minister Ivan Miklos admitted that European institutions voiced critical statements at this week’s meetings of Ecofin and Eurogroup related to Slovakia’s attitude toward the loan that was to be extended to Greece. However, Miklos rejected the existence of any danger that Slovakia might be put at a disadvantage, for instance, during the approval procedure of the EU budget for 2014-2021. During the discussion about Slovakia’s negative attitude, the meeting of Eurogroup heard critical words from one finance minister, representatives of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the head of the Eurogroup. “They presented their critical standpoints to [Slovakia’s] negative position, but this is nothing new. We simply have differing opinion on the loan to Greece. Slovakia has a different position, which I presented and that was all,” explained the minister.
Miklos does not expect any threats for Slovakia at next week’s two-day meeting of the European Council in Brussels or potential penalties within the approval of the EU budget; he cannot imagine them, either. He added that no one implied anything like this during the talks in which he participated, among them a meeting with EC member responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn, and he would consider such a move absolutely unacceptable.
Prime Minister Iveta Radicova shares Miklos’ opinion. Following the regular Cabinet session midweek, Radicova expressed willingness to submit a relevant analysis to the legislative body if there is such requirement.
SITA