BRATISLAVA, December 29, (WEBNOVINY) — In defining and implementing Slovakia’s policy towards Hungary, neither the local opposition nor some not always appropriate statements of Hungarian partners provided guidance for Slovakia’s diplomacy. “Our policy is proactive and not reactive, Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda (SDKU-DS) told SITA news agency. The opposition attacked Minister Dzurinda several times earlier this year. Both SMER-SD and SNS slammed him and his department for not responding to controversial statements of the Speaker of Hungarian Parliament, Laszlo Kover, published in the Czech daily HOSPODARSKE NOVINY that interviewed him in June. Kover stated that the Hungarian nation cannot give up any of its parts and that Hungarians living in Slovakia belong to the Hungarian nation, both spiritually and culturally.
Dzurinda however does not think that hasty reactions and verbal exchanges are what matters. “We try to direct our efforts to concrete projects that might bring real and materialized benefit to our countries and our citizens,” said Dzurinda. He named among such projects the north-south interconnection of natural gas pipelines, the dual carriageway connecting Kosice and Miskolc, bridges over the Ipel River, resuming of activities of twelve mixed commissions, mutual consular representation in visa agenda, cooperation within the Visegrad Group, following joint interests within the EU or a conference of young Slovak and Hungarian historians. The minister added that there are much more such points. He underscored that regarding issues over which Slovakia and Hungary disagree, Slovakia prefers dialogue and prudence to confrontation. According to the minister, Slovak-Hungarian relations are a long-distance run and therefore patience and perseverance are the most needed qualities.
SITA