The Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party, a member of the four party ruling coalition, released a 16-page brochure it prepared to challenge what it called ‘myths’ surrounding the possible disapproval of a second bailout package for Greece and broadening the lending capacity of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), the SITA newswire reported.
“This brochure is the answer to accusations of politicisation we [the party] are facing,” said Richard Sulík, the chair of SaS, as quoted by SITA, adding that the arguments in the document will help to persuade the party’s coalition partners to modify their opinions on approving the changes agreed upon by eurozone leaders to the operational criteria for the European bailout fund.
According to SaS, one of the biggest myths is the threat of distracting foreign investors from coming to Slovakia or worsening relations with Germany.
“Investors are coming and leaving because of two reasons,” Sulík said, as quoted by TASR. “The first is responsible management of the country; the second is the existence of a quality business environment.”
Sulík pointed out that extending the capacity of EFSF can bring an increase in taxes in Slovakia, which can negatively influence the current environment for businesses. He thinks that it is more important to continue achieving a decrease in state debt.
In a related development, Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič authorised Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš to sign the amendment to the agreement of extending the EFSF and changing the rules for the ESM in the event the authorising amendments are approved by parliament.
Source: SITA
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
