SLOVAKIA is more courageous two years after entering the EU in May 2004, and is starting to have greater ambitions, according to several EU diplomats.
According to Brussels, Slovakia gained respect by focusing on bigger themes rather than just concentrating on its own problems.
A Swedish diplomat who wished to remain anonymous said that Slovakia has a reputation as a liberal economy.
"Economic deregulation, free trade, low taxes - Slovakia has an unchanging opinion on all these themes, which increases its visibility and trustworthiness," the source told the SME daily.
Slovakia has also won laurels in foreign policy together with the Czechs and Poles thanks to their calls on the EU to help states such as Belarus, Ukraine, and the Balkans.
Compiled by Martina Jurinová from press reports
The
Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.