PM Fiala: There is no reason to resume Czech-Slovak intergovernmental consultations

There are currently no conditions or reasons to renew Czech-Slovak intergovernmental consultations, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated on Sunday on the discussion programme Václav Moravec’s Questions. The reason for the recent cooling in Czech-Slovak relations is the current foreign-policy activities of the Slovak government led by Robert Fico, for example his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Fiala repeatedly rejected Mr. Fico's accusation on Friday that the Czech political and media scene interferes in Slovakia's internal political affairs. "I do not interfere in Slovakia's internal affairs, none of my colleagues do," the Czech prime minister said. In his view, criticism of activities that are not in the interest of Czechia does not constitute interference in Slovak internal affairs. However, Mr. Fiala said that the prime ministers and ministers of both countries are negotiating bilaterally, and he is expected to meet Mr. Fico as part of Monday's EU talks in Brussels.