Slovakia’s EU policy in 2018: balancing core and periphery
Slovakia’s EU policy in 2018: balancing core and periphery

Author(s): Zuzana Gabrižová
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Comparative politics, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
Published by: Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association (RC SFPA)
Keywords: Slovakia; EU policy; future of EU; foreign policy;
Summary/Abstract: True to the tradition that the notable years in Slovakia’s history end in the number “eight,” 2018 will also likely be remembered as a significant moment in the country’s modern political development. It tested Slovakia’s resilience as a country that likes to consider itself as part of the EU’s core – both today and in the future. Several decisions solidified Slovakia’s position in the core in 2017. One was active participation in the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in security and defense, while the other was involvement in enhanced cooperation under the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). However, profound internal challenges were laid bare in early 2018. First of all, the wide-ranging repercussions of the murders of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová showed the failings of state institutions in a new light or rather placed them in the international limelight. Meanwhile,the foreign policy consensus and geopolitical orientation of the governing coalition continued to disintegrate. The political state of play in the Visegrad group countries, especially in Hungary and Poland, further complicated the situation for EU policy makersin Slovakia and the aim to position the region as a constructive player in debates on the future of the EU.

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