Foreign Minister Lipavský: Czech-Slovak ties strong, despite differences

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský on Monday met for talks with his newly-appointed Slovak counterpart Juraj Blanár from the ruling SMER party. The talks focused on bilateral relations, the war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East and migration problems that have led several EU member states to renew border controls.

Mr. Lipavský said at a press briefing following the talks, that despite differences of opinion on certain issues, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have exceptionally close ties and would continue to cooperate closely in areas where they have common interests, such as pushing for a viable European migration pact.

In the past, Czechia and Slovakia were both staunch supporters of Ukraine, but after the appointment of the new Slovak coalition government at the end of October, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made it clear that his country would stop all military aid to Ukraine. Slovak foreign minister Juraj Blanár said that despite divisions among the Visegrad Group member states on this issue, he hoped that the alliance encompassing Czechia, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary would remain active and functional.

He said that in line with tradition, the new Slovak prime minister’s first foreign visit would be to the Czech Republic. It is expected to take place on November 24.