BRATISLAVA, August 30, (WEBNOVINY) — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Thursday he is concerned about a possible breakup of the euro area. According to him, the possibility that the club of countries that use the common European currency falls apart is equivalent to other alternatives. „I see the chance of a breakup of the euro area as well as its survival equally realistic, that is 50 to 50,“ he said at a news conference. Further development of the euro area would depend chiefly on how the situation is managed in some troubled countries, such as Greece or Spain. It will be equally important how euro area member states will react to efforts to strengthen European integration. „All this can lead either to strengthening of the European Union and the euro area, or a breakup of the eurozone,“ warns the Slovak prime minister.
The issue of a two-track the European Union, according to Prime Minister Fico, is becoming increasingly a topic of the day and in case of a breakup Slovakia must remain included in the stronger part. The only thing that Slovakia can now offer, according to Robert Fico, is tough fiscal discipline and ability to do its homework. „We want Slovakia to be perceived as a country that can do its homework,“ he said. Therefore, the government must adopt measures to consolidate public finances.
Prime Minister Robert Fico used this press conference to respond to opposition criticism voiced by the neoliberal SaS earlier on Thursday. Fico said the government recognizes both by the opposition and its social partners, but also demands that they also respect the need to consolidate public finances. „You cannot save and reduce the budget deficit on the one hand and on the other hand increase spending from the state budget,“ said Fico. According to the prime minister, SaS has not offered any alternative that would provide the necessary amount of resources needed to consolidate Slovakia’s public finances.
SITA
