BRATISLAVA, September 28, (WEBNOVINY) — Prime Minister Iveta Radicova (SDKU-DS) finds it unacceptable that Slovakia as a member of the eurozone would block its other members in extending the capacity of the original EFSF bailout fund. “It is ruled out that Slovakia would block sixteen countries of the eurozone. It is unacceptable,” she stated after the Cabinet’s session on Wednesday. She added that there exist several ways of finding the support necessary for approving the extension of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) in the Slovak Parliament.
“There are several such possibilities,” the prime minister stated adding that negotiations on seeking support are taking place. She is sure that also representatives of a junior coalition member, the SaS party of Richard Sulik that stubbornly denies supporting the bailout fund extension will come up with proposals.
Finance Minister Ivan Miklos, also of the SDKU says that currently it is already impossible to change the content of the appendix to the framework agreement on the bailout fund, however changes can be made to intrastate procedures in the approval process. The prime minister sees quite wide space for maneuvering towards reaching an agreement, with several possible compromises that can be combined. Radicova has already offered one solution to the SaS, however she wants to wait for their reaction and inform on the compromise only when they will closer to a final agreement.
The deadline for approving the extension of the bailout fund in Slovak parliament should be the upcoming summit of EU leaders scheduled for October 17 and 18. According to the prime minister, substantial is that the summit takes place on October 17 while its program expects that Slovakia will already have a clear answer to the question whether the bailout fund will be supported or not. “Therefore, regardless of how the vote in parliament turns out, I cannot leave for the summit without a mandate,” stated Radicova underscoring that she will not be the reason for canceling the summit. Miklos added that he does not see a reason why the vote on the bailout fund extension could not take place at the beginning of the parliamentary session starting on October 11.
Leader of the ruling coalition partner the Christian Democrats (KDH), Jan Figel, is convinced that Slovakia should be able to provide a very clear position on the bailout fund ahead of the EU summit slated on October 17 so that the prime minister could present Slovakia’s position and in order to enable other sixteen euro club members to approve further decisions. Postponing the decision of the Slovak Republic is not good regarding the content and the relations to other states, Figel announced following the Cabinet session on Wednesday. It is in the interest of the euro, of all countries individually and jointly. In his words, the EU leaders will seek further steps for the period after the EFSF establishment at the summit but Slovakia has not been able to agree upon a common position and further action. “That would be a bit much to swallow to disturb the intention of the summit, the convening of the summit. Holding the summit would be questioned if we had no statement. A negative position is at least some position but not to have any vote and attend the summit is an obstruction against the others,” Figel stated.
The Transport Minister reminded that most eurozone countries have already expressed a positive attitude towards the bailout fund and expects that the remaining members will follow in their footsteps in the first week in October. Slovakia is exposed to pressure on responsibility. “When the house is one fire, action must be taken,” he added.
Figel is hopeful that SaS leader Richard Sulik will realize the time context and won’t insist on any delays. Earlier on Wednesday, Sulik argued that the parliament can vote on a proposal only after 30 days since its submission, based on the standing order. Figel reminded of a vote from last year, when the Cabinet passed a decision sending the EFSF to the parliament on July 23 and the MPs already decided on the issue on August 11. He opines that the process could take place in the same time interval. This proposal will be debated at the next Coalition Council. Figel is of the opinion that the coalition should seek an agreement so that its position would be unifying and responsible. “We are ready to seek more compromises,” he declared. The available time should be used for negotiations not deferral.
SITA