Slovakia's president-elect Peter Pellegrini was sworn in on Saturday in the capital, Bratislava.
In his speech during the inauguration ceremony, he pledged to build good relations with his country’s neighbors.
“I will… work on healthy relations with all our neighbors. We are connected with the Czech nation literally by family ties. We look with respect at Poland, which gave the world a great pope. We will never forget Austria, which was a refuge for many people in times of oppression. And with Hungary, we have walked together through history for centuries.”
“We want to help Ukraine enjoy a just peace and subsequent restoration. I will strive to create a strong and caring state based on the principle of social justice, capable of helping all those who need assistance,” he added.
Pellegrini, a member of Prime Minister Robert Fico's nationalist-left coalition, won the country's presidential election in April.
Fico, who took power for the fourth time last October, has turned the country's foreign policy towards more pro-Russian views and initiated reforms of criminal law and the media, raising concerns about weakening the rule of law.
The prime minister is recovering at home after being shot four times at close range when he greeted supporters at a government meeting in the central Slovak town of Handlova on May 15.
The attack left him in serious condition in the hospital and requiring multiple surgeries.
“I will… work on healthy relations with all our neighbors. We are connected with the Czech nation literally by family ties. We look with respect at Poland, which gave the world a great pope. We will never forget Austria, which was a refuge for many people in times of oppression. And with Hungary, we have walked together through history for centuries.”
“We want to help Ukraine enjoy a just peace and subsequent restoration. I will strive to create a strong and caring state based on the principle of social justice, capable of helping all those who need assistance,” he added.
Pellegrini, a member of Prime Minister Robert Fico's nationalist-left coalition, won the country's presidential election in April.
Fico, who took power for the fourth time last October, has turned the country's foreign policy towards more pro-Russian views and initiated reforms of criminal law and the media, raising concerns about weakening the rule of law.
The prime minister is recovering at home after being shot four times at close range when he greeted supporters at a government meeting in the central Slovak town of Handlova on May 15.
The attack left him in serious condition in the hospital and requiring multiple surgeries.
Source: Reuters
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