Martin Klus after a Meeting with the New Ambassador of the Netherlands: The Netherlands can count on Slovakia as a firm part of the protection of the rule of law in Europe

"The Slovak Republic does not forget that the rule of law is the fundamental cornerstone of the European Union (EU) and a prerequisite for cooperation among member states. We and the Kingdom of the Netherlands both have similar views on this topic, and therefore right at the first official meeting with the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Slovakia Gabriella Sancisi, I conveyed the ongoing ambition of the Government of the Slovak Republic to be a firm part of the protection of the rule of law and human rights in Europe. I´m pleased to hear the Ambassador say that the Netherlands' is interested in sharing experiences regarding the rule of law and the reform of justice at an expert level."

This was stated by State Secretary of the Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Ministry Martin Klus after the meeting with the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Slovakia Gabriella Sancisi in Bratislava on Monday (8 November 2021). The main topics of their talks featured opportunities for the further development of the relations between Slovakia and the Netherlands, as well as current European topics including migration, and also the Conference on the Future of Europe. Within the discussion on reinforcing bilateral cooperation, it was especially the topics of the rule of law and human rights that resonated.

"Slovakia and the Netherlands view the rule of law very similarly and consider it to be the fundamental cornerstone of the EU. Also this is the reason why I´m pleased that the Ambassador expressed interest in our two countries sharing experiences with regards to the rule of law and the reform of justice at an expert level."

The discussion on the current European agenda was dominated by the evaluation of the cooperation of the EU member countries in reaction to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard the State Secretary of Slovakia´s diplomacy ministry also emphasized the importance of keeping the Schengen area borders open.

"The coordination in implementing measures on the borders, a joint procedure in the purchase of vaccines, as well as unprecedented Recovery and Resilience Facility and national Plans of Recovery, which should result in vast reforms and investments within the Union states, confirm the importance of European cooperation in crisis situations," stated Klus.

The Slovak Foreign and European Affairs State Secretary also used the meeting with the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Slovakia Gabriella Sancisi to confirm Slovakia´s strong support for the EU enlargement process with the Western Balkan countries. According to Klus, the Union cannot be a global player without also being a trustworthy leader in its immediate neighborhood.