President Pavel says Czech and Slovak stances on Ukraine war not so different

The Czech and Slovak stances on the war in Ukraine aren't as different from each other as has often been made out, Czech President Petr Pavel said after meeting with his Slovak counterpart Peter Pellegrini at Prague Castle on Wednesday. Both presidents agreed that relations between the two countries are not defined only by foreign policy and that the two neighbouring states are still linked historically, culturally and economically. Mr Pellegrini said that the special relationship between them cannot be damaged or threatened by differences of opinion over certain foreign policy issues.

The pair met to discuss bilateral relations as part of the Slovak head of state's first official visit to Czechia since taking up office. The Slovak president began his visit on Wednesday morning by paying his respects to the victims of the December shooting at Charles University's Faculty of Arts in Prague.

It is a tradition that the first official foreign visit made by new Czech and Slovak presidents after assuming office is to each other's respective countries. Mr Pellegrini took up office on 15 June this year. Shortly before this, his predecessor Zuzana Čaputová made a farewell visit to Prague.