DistantNews
Slovak Parliament Speaker Raši to Attend EU Conference in Copenhagen

Slovak Parliament Speaker Raši to Attend EU Conference in Copenhagen

From SME · (40m ago) Slovak

Translated from Slovak, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Slovak Parliament Speaker Richard Raši will attend the Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments in Copenhagen.
  • The conference is a key forum for interparliamentary relations and coordination of EU activities.
  • Raši will also hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from Poland, Montenegro, and Moldova, and will advocate for Slovakia's national interests and support for EU enlargement.

Slovak National Council Chairman Richard Raši is embarking on a significant working trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, to participate in the Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments. This high-level gathering serves as a crucial platform for interparliamentary relations and the coordination of joint activities within the European Union, underscoring Slovakia's commitment to active engagement in EU affairs.

During his visit, Raši is scheduled to engage in important bilateral discussions with the Speakers of the Parliaments of Poland (Włodzimierz Czarzasty), Montenegro (Andrija Mandić), and Moldova (Igor Grosu). These meetings are vital for strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering cooperation on issues of mutual interest, particularly in the context of regional stability and European integration.

In a time of hybrid threats, it is essential that national parliaments act as guarantors of citizens' trust. My participation in this summit of speakers in Copenhagen confirms our commitment to being a constructive, yet principled partner, which protects Slovak interests first and foremost in the broader European context.

— Richard RašiStating his commitment to Slovak interests and the role of parliaments.

Raši views his participation in the conference as a prime opportunity to champion Slovakia's national interests and contribute to shaping the future direction of Europe. He emphasized the critical role of parliamentary diplomacy in navigating the current geopolitical uncertainties, describing it as a "stable anchor of democratic legitimacy." He further stressed that in an era of hybrid threats, national parliaments must act as guarantors of citizens' trust, reinforcing Slovakia's dedication to being a constructive yet principled partner that prioritizes national interests within the broader European framework.

A key agenda item for Raši will be presenting Slovakia's position on EU enlargement. Slovakia considers this process a strategic investment in peace and prosperity for the European continent and actively supports the integration ambitions of Western Balkan countries and Moldova. Raši articulated that Slovakia's approach to enlargement is not merely technical but is rooted in a readiness to support partners' reform efforts based on fairness and clear merit, reflecting a commitment to a cohesive and expanding European Union.

We do not perceive enlargement as just a technical debate. We are prepared to support the reform efforts of our partners, which are based on fairness and clear merits.

— Richard RašiExplaining Slovakia's approach to EU enlargement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by SME in Slovak. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.