Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister Says U.S. Engagement is Critical to Eastern Europe
Consolidation of democracy, increased trade, and security cooperation are major objectives for success of Eastern Partnership.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák has called for continued strong U.S. involvement in Eastern Europe. In a recent interview, he singled out the strong partnership Slovakia and the United States have forged since Slovakia's independence—particularly in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan—and discussed the work still to be done in integrating the countries of the Western Balkans.
It is important that "the U.S. supports our European Union efforts when it comes to our policy to our Eastern partners," he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that next year represents "twenty-five years since the fall of the Berlin Wall" and "ten years since the enlargement of the European Union." Minister Lajčák said that many of these great accomplishments would "not have happened without the leadership of the U.S., and it is a good opportunity to remind ourselves of our great partnership."
Minister Lajčák visited Washington, New York and Boston last week for meetings with the U.S. administration and the World Bank. He also spoke at the Atlantic Council and the Harvard University School of Law.
During his visit, Minister Lajčák sat down with Focus Washington's Chuck Conconi to discuss relations between the U.S., Slovakia and the E.U.
In this exclusive Focus Washington interview, Minister Lajčák lays out his vision for E.U. – U.S. relations and Slovakia's desire to work with the U.S. on strengthening the Eastern Partnership And his views of "the importance and uniqueness of the relationship" between Slovakia and the United States.
Minister Lajčák said that Slovakia is trying to "offer our unique experience from our successful transition" to help further democratic transition in the "Western Balkan countries and countries of the Eastern Partnership." The Eastern Partnership, a program to bring Eastern European together to promote democratic reforms and strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, was of particular importance because of the upcoming Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held on November 28-29.
Minister Lajčák pointed out that many Slovakian "national priorities overlap with European Union priorities." He said the conclusion of negotiations in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the U.S. and E.U. will also help strengthen this important transatlantic relationship.
SOURCE Qorvis Focus Washington
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