Non-euro countries need bigger role in EU economic integration

Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic on Wednesday called for more involvement of non-eurozone countries in strengthening economic and financial cooperation in Europe. "The strengthening of economic and monetary union should be an issue for all member states to discuss, through more inclusive discussion, and not only of (eurozone) 17-member states, but the European Union (EU) of 27 members," Gasparovic said during a state visit to Denmark. His comments came in response to journalists' questions about whether non-euro countries could find themselves disadvantaged by a proposed pan-European banking union, where eurozone countries, including Slovakia, make key decisions. "We understand the position of Denmark very well, (and) the worries of the countries that do not belong to the euro," he added, referring to Denmark's position as a non-eurozone EU member. Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said Denmark was participating in negotiations concerning the banking union, including increased supervision of European banks. "For non-euro members like Denmark, we have a strong interest in strengthening economic and monetary union," she said, but added that Denmark is also "very focused on equity between euro and non-euro countries." Thorning-Schmidt said Denmark would meet obligations arising from the banking union, but also expects to retain certain rights as a non-eurozone member. Gasparovic is on a two-day state visit to Denmark, the first such by a Slovak president to the Nordic country, on invitation of Denmark's Queen Margrethe II. Earlier Wednesday, Gasparovic met Thorning-Schmidt to discuss the ongoing debt crisis in the eurozone and how to boost jobs and growth. The two leaders called for more investment in each other's economies, as well as the option of jointly-investing in third party states. The also discussed EU enlargement, specifically the membership of Balkan states, and agreed such an expansion was necessary and beneficial for the EU.