BRATISLAVA, July 12, (WEBNOVINY) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today is depoliticized; political nominees are gone and experienced long-term diplomats are back. This is, according to Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, one of the results of his first one hundred days in office. “We want our employees to again gain certainty that their professional and career growth depends solely on their professional skills,” the minister told SITA.
“We have restored order in contracts and subsidies,” added Lajcak, who often criticized his predecessor Mikulas Dzurinda for concluding dubious and disadvantageous contracts. The minister added that of the 38 contracts on provision of subsidies for development aid projects, concluded one day before the parliamentary elections, he had to cancel fifteen, as Slovak ambassadors to the countries concerned allegedly rejected them, too.
Since the new government came into office in March, Slovakia has been active on the international scene as a respected and responsible partner. “Figuratively speaking, we have seated Slovakia tightly at the European table”, he added. According to the minister, he has sent clear signals on heading of Slovakia’s foreign affairs policy to the key European partners, ensured neighbors of our interest in deepening central European cooperation with emphasis on the Visegrad Group. “I have visited nearly all countries in the western Balkans and think that I will not be too immodest if I say that we have significantly helped Montenegro open accession talks with the EU,” Lajcak said.
SITA