BRUSSELS (MNI) – Slovakia’s new prime minister on Monday gave the
strongest signal yet that her country may not back the Eurozone’s E440
billion stability package, despite intense pressure from her peers and
European institutions.
European policy-makers are under pressure to finalise a E440
billion fund which Eurozone countries could draw on if they fall into
trouble with their debts. Slovakia is the only country in the 16-nation
bloc not to have approved the deal.
Iveta Radicova, sworn in as the country’s prime minister July 8,
told reporters on a visit here that the decision to approve the deal was
not solely her own, since it had to go through the Slovak parliament
first.
Asked about providing aid to Greece, Radicova said: “The position
of our Minister of Finance and also my personal opinion and that of our
political party is as it was before, we really do not agree.”
The first cabinet meeting of the new government will take place on
Wednesday, Radicova said.
Slovakia’s share of the E440 billion deal would be around E4.4
billion.
–Brussels: 0032 487 (0) 32 803 665, echarlton@marketnews.com
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