This is a reaction to the conciliatory rhetoric of the Slovak government towards Russia. “We consider some of their activities to be problematic,” said Fiala, explaining the move. Holding the usual meetings is currently “not appropriate”.
“We agreed that we do not consider it appropriate to hold intergovernmental consultations with the Government of the Slovak Republic in the coming weeks or months, as we have been considering. We are convinced that this is not necessary now” Fiala said following the cabinet meeting, adding that the Czech side had already informed the Slovak side regarding the move.
“We are aware of the close ties between Czech and Slovak society. We will continue our cooperation and are interested in developing relationships and projects,” Fiala continued. “However, nothing can hide the fact that there are significant differences of opinion on some foreign policy issues. There are activities (Bratislava’s note) that we consider problematic,” explained Fiala.
Clear position once morest Russia
For example, the Czech government sees one of the reasons for the action as the fact that Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Antalya, Turkey, on Saturday. Prague, like most EU countries, is taking a clear position once morest Russia in the Ukraine war. Fico, who has only been in office for a few months, has led his country on a Russia-friendly course, like Hungary’s.
Fico reacted indignantly to the announcement from Prague. The Czech government has decided to endanger Slovak-Czech relations only because it is interested in supporting the war in Ukraine, while the Slovak government is openly talking regarding peace, Fico countered in a statement on Wednesday evening. According to the Slovak Prime Minister, the Czech government’s move will have no impact on Bratislava’s “sovereign foreign policy”.
“Dear Prime Minister of the Czech Government, Mr. Fiala, the relations between our citizens, the Czechs and the Slovaks, are unique, historically proven,” Fico wrote in the statement. The Slovak government will never put such close Slovak-Czech relations under threat, he added. Czechs and Slovaks were united in one state during decades of communism before they separated in peace following the fall of communism in 1993.
