As officials meet to discuss Slovakia's program for its presidency, there are lingering concerns that Bratislava's time in the EU hot seat will further divide member states, given that the country's approach to key issues vastly differs with other major players within the EU.
Brexit, Migration to Take Centre Stage
The issue of togetherness within the EU is particularly relevant, with the British public to decide whether to remain or leave the bloc in a referendum on June 23.
Regardless of the result, many believe Slovakia will need to play a key role in quelling the angst and Euroskeptic sentiment stirred up by the Brexit referendum.
Good talk over lunch with @TheCityUK about Slovakia's #EU Presidency priorities-focus on economy+finances @eu2016sk pic.twitter.com/8ZKl4nujOt
— Ľubomír REHÁK (@RehakLubomir) May 26, 2016
"It is very important for Slovakia to take ownership of this presidency, which will follow the British referendum, whose aftermath will need managing, whatever the result," Harlem Desir, France's Minister of State for European affairs, said.
While the Brexit issue will test EU unity, cooperation across the bloc is also under immense pressure as a result of Europe's ongoing migration crisis.
The EU has long been criticized for its failure to come to a common approach over the issue if immigration, with Slovakia seen by many within the EU establishment as a polarizing nation with a hard line anti-immigration stance.
Fico at Odds With Brussels
Although a leftist, Prime Minister Robert Fico's stance towards Muslims and immigration differs vastly from other left-wing movements in Europe, with Slovakia filing a lawsuit against the EU over plans to introduce bloc-wide quotas for the distribution of refugees.
"It may seem strange, but sorry, Islam has no place in Slovakia," Fico said during an interview last week.
Fico: "I would be lying" if saying that Dublin reform will be agreed before end of Slovakia EU presidency. #asylum pic.twitter.com/NZPpe97QU3
— Eric Maurice (@er1cmau) June 1, 2016
"I have talked about this several times with the Maltese prime minister, who told me that the problem is not that they were coming, but they are changing the character of the country," he added, referring to a conversation with Maltese PM Joseph Muscat.
His comments led to a sharp rebuke within the bloc from European leftists.
What a combo: Slovakia's upcoming presidency of EU, @MiroslavLajcak's UN aspirations and Robert Fico's "Islam has no place in Slovakia".
— Harun Šiljak (@the_wrAIter) May 26, 2016
"While the European right seems happy to accommodate Viktor Orban in its movement, European social democracy has always fought national-populism and refuses to make any rhetorical or political compromise with the ideas of exclusion and division that characterize the extreme right," Jean-Christophe Cambadelis, the first secretary of the ruling French Socialist Party, told Euractiv.
"This is the opposite of the Europe we want to build. The Socialist Party firmly condemns the statements of Robert Fico and expresses its concern about his political orientation as Slovakia prepares to take on the European Union presidency," he added.
Focus on European Unity
With the migration crisis likely to be a major issue over the course of Slovakia's rotating presidency, there are concerns Bratislava's position may further expose divides in the union.
In a subtle warning to PM Fico, Desir urged Slovakia to "contribute to European unity" during its time in the EU presidency.
"I think that Slovakia, as the future president of the EU, will certainly want to contribute to European unity and to joint positions concerning the hosting of refugees."
Fico moved to quell concerns about Slovakia's term in the EU presidency, saying his country would act as an "honest broker and reach compromise wherever possible."
