BRATISLAVA – Presidents of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria met on Wednesday in Slavkov, Czechia, to debate cross-border cooperation and overseas coverage as a part of the Slavkov Format (S3) presidential summit.
Czech President Petr Pavel and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini additionally addressed bilateral relations between their international locations, which was exceptionally shut. This dynamic modified with the beginning of Robert Fico’s fourth authorities, resulting in a number of diplomatic tensions.
Final yr, the pro-Ukraine Czech authorities suspended intergovernmental consultations as a consequence of variations over key overseas coverage points. The transfer was a response to the pro-Russian stance of the Slovak authorities underneath Fico, together with his assembly with Vladimir Putin.
Fico has also accused Czech politicians and media of “interfering in Slovakia’s inside affairs.”
On this regard, Pellegrini requested Pavel to “intervene” over Slovakia’s unfavourable portrayal in Czech media, citing discuss reveals, journal covers, public debates, and even stand-up comedy. He insisted that Slovakia doesn’t do the identical and known as for a return to mutual respect.
General, Pellegrini and Pavel agreed that Slovak-Czech relations shouldn’t be overly influenced by feelings or politics, as these are momentary episodes within the shared historical past of two nations that after shaped Czechoslovakia.
Pavel emphasised that relations between Slovakia and Czechia exist on many ranges, together with amongst residents, companies, and academic establishments, and shouldn’t be dictated by political disagreements.
“We each confused that relations between our international locations shouldn’t be negatively affected by variations in views on sure overseas and safety coverage points. The connection between our nations shouldn’t be outlined solely by these issues or by politicians,” the Czech president mentioned.
The dialogue additionally touched on Thursday’s EU summit, the place Fico has suggested he might block its conclusions until the EU calls for that Ukraine resume gasoline transit by means of its territory.
Pellegrini tried to emphasise that Slovakia has by no means formally used its veto energy in the direction of EU selections however confused that the present halt in gasoline transit by means of Ukraine is “considerably damaging Slovakia’s financial system.”
The president of Czechia, a robust supporter of Ukraine, responded that if any nation had been to dam the summit’s conclusions, it could be crucial to think about transferring ahead with a “coalition of the keen.”
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen voiced his settlement with Pavel’s stance.
(Natália Silenská | Euractiv.sk)
