Martin Klus in Luxembourg: Ukraine belongs in the EU and it needs a clear signal right now that we are counting on it

"Russian military aggression against Ukraine has already lasted for almost four months and has caused unimaginable suffering to our eastern neighbor. Therefore support for the Ukrainian people, whether financial, military, humanitarian or political, is of key importance. Slovakia clearly supports granting candidate status to Ukraine because it will be further impetus for the Government in Kyiv to continue to protect its freedom and to move ahead with reforms geared towards future membership in the European Union (EU)."

This was stated by State Secretary of the Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Ministry of the Slovak Republic (MFEA SR) Martin Klus following a session of the General Affairs Council (GAC) on Tuesday, 21 June 2022. The main topic of the talks of ministers and state secretaries for European affairs of the EU member countries was the preparation of the upcoming European Council session (23-24 June 2022) in Brussels. At the summit, the Union leaders will especially delve into the issues related to the continuing Russian military aggression against Ukraine.

"And it is in this context that I want to remind everyone that we consider the EU enlargement process to be the most important instrument for supporting democratic changes and reform efforts in our immediate neighborhood. Therefore, granting candidate status to Ukraine will certainly motivate the local government in the reform process. Slovakia is ready to help Ukraine on its road to the EU," emphasized the MFEA SR State Secretary Martin Klus.
At the Council of the EU session in Luxembourg, the ministers and state secretaries also discussed the content of the final proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe and how to implement them. "For Slovakia it is a priority that concrete changes reflect the numerous wishes of our citizens. At the same time I have emphasized that our discussions with them cannot stop and we will continue with it, on a regular basis, even after the formal end of the conference. Citizens want to be heard and we want to listen to them," stated Klus also adding that Slovakia registers current discussions on possible changes to fundamental EU legislation.

"However, within the discussion on the revision of treaties it must be clear what concrete benefits this will bring to citizens. Amendments to the treaties cannot be made just for their own sake; firstly it is necessary to concentrate on matters and proposals that don't require changes to EU legislation," Klus explained the position of the Slovakia´s diplomacy ministry.

The ministers and state secretaries also adopted conclusions of the Council on the protection and safety of journalists and media professionals. This is an important signal that the European Union takes this topic seriously and will delve into it further. It is also one of the tangible outcomes of Slovakia´s engagement, which opened and promoted this issue at the European level. "I reiterated the importance of the work of journalists for maintaining democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It is in our interest for journalists to be able to carry out their profession without fear for their property, health and life, not only in Europe but anywhere in the world," stressed the State Secretary Klus.