During her speech at the 66th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in New York on September 24, Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radičová said that the leaders of UN are expected to offer guidance and find solutions to the mounting challenges facing the international community, the TASR newswire reported.
Radičová also referred to comments made earlier by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff who said that courage and sincerity are the main challenges in the years to come.
“Courage and sincerity are also much needed in Europe these days given the challenge posed by the economic and debt crisis,” Radičová said, as quoted by TASR. She added that leaders have to say openly that they still do not have adequate solutions.
“Those living in poverty, millions of people without jobs, without water, without food expect real answers, quick action and results from political leaders,” Radičová stated, as quoted by TASR. “What can such a small country like Slovakia do to address these challenges? First, it has to do its own homework in stabilizing the economy,” she asserted and highlighted pension system sustainability, fiscal responsibility, labour market reforms and measures to tackle corruption and increase transparency.
The Slovak prime minister also pointed out that the financial crisis and its negative impacts upon the entire European banking sector have clearly shown that the eurozone was not prepared for such a crisis.
“We need courage in the eurozone to return back to the old principles necessary for successful international cooperation and integration,” Radičová stressed, adding that the eurozone needs stricter European and national fiscal regulation, institution of a system for controlled default and new rules for careful management of the financial sector.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
