スロバキアの首相ロバート·フィコ(Robert Fico)のスロバキアの経済不況についての面談記事
ROBERT FICO | Primer ministro de Eslovaquia
“Queremos las mismas reglas para todos en el cumplimiento del déficit”
El primer ministro eslovaco rechaza la idea de la austeridad a ultranza
Silvia Blanco Madrid 1 MAY 2013 - 18:40 CET
ROBERT FICO | Prime Minister of Slovakia
"We want the same rules for all in compliance with the deficit '
Slovak Prime Minister rejects the idea of extreme austerity
Silvia Blanco Madrid 1 MAY 2013 - 18:40 CET
The Social Robert Fico, 48, just turned one as prime minister of Slovakia, the Central European-born young country two decades ago, after the split of the former Czechoslovakia-integrated into the European Union, in the euro and in NATO is claimed as a magnet for foreign investors. That's one of the messages that Fico has been responsible for spreading on his official visit to Spain last week, especially in the infrastructure sector. As head of government of a small country, Fico is aware that the only way to gain weight in Brussels is to establish alliances and demands equal treatment with EU heavyweights about the sacrifices and compliance with the deficit, no exceptions . It is, however, in favor of discussing the pace of adjustments to mitigate and rejects the idea of extreme austerity. Despite the crisis in the Union, considers the country's accession in 2004 as "a successful venture."
P. Slovakia joined the euro in 2009. What is your assessment of their income, with the common currency so reviled?
Fico is aware that the only way to gain weight in Brussels is to establish alliances with other small countries
R. In 2009 we welcomed worldwide as Hungarian President or envied us, as the Czechs ... The Euro is not to blame for what happened, is the result of the irresponsibility of some EU countries. I'm convinced it's a good project, and will be good for more countries to join.
P. Which countries have been irresponsible?
Patriotism can not be imposed by law "
R. The situation in Greece made him stagger everything else. Interconnection is so great that even a country like Slovakia, which has almost no economic ties with Greece, would be affected in case of a bankruptcy. Hence the need for greater integration and control mechanisms, such as joint bank supervision, something I support.
P. Former Slovak government, conservative, refused to authorize the first bailout of Greece. Hurt? Confidence that decision as a reliable partner in Slovakia?
R. Slovakia has high credibility, and it shows that we have received as much per capita cohesion funding for 2014-2020. You can not just ask and ask for money. When defending the euro, not Greece but the single currency, we are required to share in the fellowship and rescues. The previous government both solidarity speculated because for them it meant nothing. And speaking of my Government, are predictable and reliable.
P. The President of the Commission Barroso recommended to make more profitable use of EU funds. Slovakia has used only 38% of what is assigned. How will you use? Why have not absorbed?
R. This year we will have the greatest problem with funds: we have to spend the end of 2013. According to the Commission are in danger 350 million. Do not want to go back to the past, but the government of the right, in 2011, did not consume a single euro. In 2012, in the first six months, as there were elections and a change of government, either. So in 2013 we are forced to use everything he had to spend three years. We therefore propose to the Commission to be more flexible in the rules, to give us the opportunity to spend this money to different projects, for example, jobs for young people or infrastructure, where we would know how to use it. The bureaucracy is so, so strong, it is imperative even negotiate the level of Prime Ministers or Prime Ministers to persuade the Commission to release these resources, because if the money is lost. You can not move from one project to another. But the problem is not only Slovakia: I have many countries, and will press the Commission in May to change that attitude.
P. Why do you think that the previous government did not spend it?
R. Because there was a coalition of several parties whose energy was intended to discuss among themselves. They had no time to govern.
P. You have committed to reach the deficit target of 3%, while having 4.3%. Do you think they will succeed? For many countries it is difficult to meet.
R. Sure we will. It's April and the budget is running so that we will succeed. We had to raise direct taxes, except those persons receiving the average wage or less. Have also increased for business: we have gone from 19% to 23%, and individuals from 19% to 25%, but only if they earn more than 3,000 euros a month, which is not abundant in Slovakia.
P. What is the average salary?
R. It is better to speak of the most common salary, 600 euros. In Slovakia, only 12% earn more than 1,100 euros a month, so look how hard it is to carry out fiscal consolidation. Banks have paid a large part of it. We are saving, making cuts, but this goes against the growth. So we think that the European Commission should start talking about the pace of consolidation. We guarantee 3% in 2013, and in 2014 we will reduce the deficit by 0.5. But we are prepared to participate in a debate to mitigate this consolidation, make it more mild. Yes, provided that the rules are valid and applicable to all on equal terms. Because it is not only France, which says it will not be able to meet the target this year ... suddenly it is Spain. And we are talking about 2013. I do not know how the Commission will address this issue, because it is possible that large countries have exceptions and we, the small countries have to continue consolidating in this way with a salary of 600 euros on average. I do not think Spain frequent wage is 600 euros.
P. You austerity advocates a flexible, stimulus measures.
R. Yes, yes, we need money. How to support growth? How to create new jobs if we are saving, cutting? Not possible. After surprising that there is recession in the Eurozone.
P. In the process of decision-making in Brussels, do you think that small countries such as Slovakia, are marginalized? Do you have problems to be heard?
R. The circumstances prevailing in the European Council of a logic I call big dog-small dog. The only small issues can impose their joining. For example, if the four Visegrad we agree on a common procedure, and they have to listen, because Poland has 40 million is 10 million Czechs, Hungarians 10 and us, 5.5. This is the way that small countries have to be enforced.
P. High unemployment (15%) is one of the main problems in their country, in particular youth unemployment (35%). What measures have been put in place to combat them?
R. Since February, the unemployment rate has declined to 14%, although it is true that we have a very high proportion of young unemployed and long term unemployed. We have implemented a program of the EU cohesion funds reallocated to create 13,500 jobs for young people. We have also introduced measures for growth and estimate that between 2013 and 2014 we will create over 60,000 jobs. We have a great advantage: govern alone, my party is completely stable and I can focus 100% on my work without having problems coalitions.
P. Slovakia born 20 years ago, after the process called the Velvet Divorce. Velvet Is it so?
R. In 1992, on both sides of the river that separates the Moravian-Slovak-Czech Republic, it was obvious that a future coexistence without radical changes would be more negative than positive. No one can say that the interest in creating two independent states exist only in one place. There were two identical interests. And maybe that's why the process was as it was.
P. Could be a model exportable to other countries with separatist tensions?
R. I would like to export more.
P. Why oppose recognizing Kosovo's independence?
R. At the time of declaring its independence, has not proceeded under international law. As a small country, Slovakia has no rockets or fighters to address these issues in their own national interests. We only have international law, and we must follow it to the letter. We have no reason to recognize Kosovo, but we do not want its people suffer.
P. In Slovakia live a Hungarian minority representing 10% of the population of 5.5 million. Relations with the community have been strained and generated problems with Hungary. In February, you said that minorities in his country "blackmail" the State. He meant Hungarians, Gypsies and gays. What was he talking about?
R. Only had in mind a case that had to do with the funding of ethnic minorities, which constitute a great contribution to culture and language. Slovakia, when dealing with minorities, could be even one example. I know of none that has complained to the courts or the International Human Rights Court. Much has been balanced relations between Slovakia and Hungary, there were tensions, but now is very constructive dialogue. I appreciate this, because our duty is to fight the crisis.
P. In his last period in office, between 2006 and 2010, and an ultra-nationalist coalition, forced that schools will hear the hymn. Do they follow these measures nationalists?
R. The idea was that the school week began with the hymn. That was proposed by then and there is nothing bad but patriotism can not be imposed by law.
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