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Bratislava – The world is changing dynamically and a new style of asserting foreign policy interests is gaining strength. The European Union must adapt to this. This was stated by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini at a Wednesday meeting with heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organizations accredited in Slovakia at Bratislava Castle, as informed by the president’s office to TASR.

The president thus followed the tradition of the New Year’s reception, which is a thank you for the previous cooperation and an opportunity to deepen mutual relations with countries from all over the world.

In his address, Pellegrini emphasized that it is necessary to face new challenges in the areas of security, energy, and migration policy, where uncompromising assertion of national interests dominates.

“This poses a fundamental challenge for every institution, including the EU, to keep pace with the world, especially with China and the USA,” Pellegrini stated in front of approximately 90 diplomats and representatives of international organizations. According to him, it is clear that the EU cannot move forward without the courage to achieve significant changes.

He also confirmed that Slovakia advocates a foreign policy in all four cardinal directions, asserting that Slovakia’s place is in the EU and NATO, which, according to him, guarantee internationally recognized borders, free and secure economic development.

“New times are coming, and we need to prepare for them. It is not excluded that the EU will have to take greater responsibility for its own security and along with it, Slovakia,” noted the president.

He reminded that tensions are rising in various parts of the world, creating a need for sustainable and reliable energy solutions. “It is unacceptable to change the rules of the game and commitments according to what suits me at the moment, as we have witnessed in recent days,” he declared. He emphasized the need for peace in Ukraine as very urgent and added that the key to resolving this conflict is diplomacy and dialogue. He also pointed out that a fair and lasting peace must respect international law and be based on the current geopolitical reality.

According to the head of state, world politics should not be reduced to the dictate of powerful states but should also consider the interests of the smaller ones. He believes that in a world where challenges are increasingly interconnected, responses must also be coordinated, which presupposes strengthening multilateral institutions to handle the complexities of modern diplomacy. (January 29)

“New times are coming, and we need to prepare for them. It is not excluded that the EU will have to take greater responsibility for its own security and along with it, Slovakia.” Peter Pellegrini