Danko: 1968 was strong year for Slovaks, occupation was mistake

It is necessary to pay homage and express thanks to all those who risked and sacrificed their lives to resist the Warsaw Pact invasion on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the invasion, Parliamentary Chair Andrej Danko said on Wednesday, calling the invasion a "big mistake". "On this day we must express our respect and thanks to those who risked and sacrificed their lives to resist. First and foremost to the charismatic and humane [then Czechoslovak leader] Alexander Dubcek," he told TASR, stressing the need to remember history, especially the parts that had an impact on Slovakia's development. "Never again can we allow foreign soldiers to be present on Slovak territory," he said, with a reference to the Defence Cooperation Agreement between the United States and Slovakia.