Babiš visits Slovakia, meets Fico

New Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš visited Bratislava and was “welcomed home” by his Slovak counterpart.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (l) and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico met on January 5, 2018.  Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (l) and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico met on January 5, 2018. (Source: Sme )

“Welcome home, if I can say so,” said Prime Minister Robert Fico as he welcomed his Czech counterpart (of Slovak origin) Andrej Babiš, who visited Bratislava on his first foreign visit after he came into office. The Czech PM came to Slovakia on January 5, the SITA newswire wrote.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

The prime ministers discussed not only the anniversaries linked with the year 2018, such as the 25th anniversary of independence of both countries or the 100th anniversary of the first Czechoslovak state, but also focused on European issues, the Visegrad Group and the euro area. Both prime ministers appreciated the quality of mutual Czech-Slovak relations, which they both see as above-standard.

SkryťTurn off ads

“I like to use the term ‘mutual trust loans’,“ Fico said, as quoted by SITA. “We are trusted partners who will never lie to each other and always support each other.”

They also both believe that in 2018, they will further boost their relations and remind not only Czechs and Slovaks, but also the entire European Union of the success story of both countries.

Cooperation in international groupings

The Visegrad Group (V4 – Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) was on the agenda.

“We spoke a lot about our neighbours and I want to emphasise on behalf of the Slovak government that I care very much about V4 continuing to operate in the EU as a credible, reliable, and constructive partner who actively contributes to finding compromises,” Fico said, as quoted by SITA.

SkryťTurn off ads

Both PMs declared interest to coordinate their steps within the European Union. Fico stressed the potential to find a joint stance also in the topics such as migration and the reform of the asylum system. Babiš added, as quoted by the Pravda daily on January 8, that migrant redistribution quotas do not work.

When asked about the Czech Republic’s ambitions to join the eurozone, Babiš said that he sees more negatives than positives for the country in this regard.

“We are happy with the Czech crown,” Babiš stated, as quoted by Pravda.

Slovak Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš and his Czech counterpart Karla Šlechtová met as part of the official visit, too.

Top stories

Friends drinking a kapurková shot.

Slovak Matters: Departures, even when drinking

The last column was dedicated to saying hello; now we go over the last word, whether saying goodbye or taking the customary last shot.


12 h
Filip Toška holding chard in the hydroponic Hausnatura farm.

How a Mayan doomsday prophecy took a Slovak to hi-tech agriculture

Hydroponic farm run out of former telephone exchange.


9. mar
Some Ukrainian students report being bullied due to their nationality. UNICEF works with schools so that they can provide a tolerant and respectful environment as well as activities that facilitate positive relationships and promote inclusion.

The silent toll of the war in Ukraine is on minds

Friends are essential for mental health, but only one in three Ukrainian children in Slovakia are currently enrolled in school.


20. mar
The price of 400 food products has been capped by eight retailers.

News digest: Retailers' move to make food more affordable

A group of old houses in Banská Štiavnica damaged by fire, Eduard Heger's new party, and 10 biggest tax debtors.


22 h
SkryťClose ad