Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico (Smer-SD) wishes for good neighborly, friendly and"very high-quality" relations with Ukraine. He also wishes our eastern neighbors a good and just peace and a"very good" European perspective. He wishes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to find a solution regarding security guarantees as soon as possible."In this, the Slovak Republic, as a small country, cannot play a decisive role, but we support all initiatives that are aimed at a ceasefire and that lead to peace," Fico declared at a joint press conference with Zelensky after their talks in Ukraine.

Fico believes that just as he respects and listens to Zelensky, he will also respect and listen to him."I very much welcome the fact that we had the opportunity to speak in person, one-on-one, and then in plenary, and we could either explain some things or we could stick to some of our positions. I must confirm that we have different opinions on some topics, but that's what the world is about," said the Slovak prime minister.

Cooperation wishes

Fico identified good friendly neighborly relations, a good just peace, the fastest possible ceasefire, and a European perspective as the four things he desires in mutual relations with Ukraine.

Fico and Zelensky also agreed to organize the fourth joint meeting of the governments of Slovakia and Ukraine. Members of both cabinets are expected to meet in Slovakia on October 20.

Slovak experience for Ukraine

The Slovak Prime Minister reminded that EU membership is associated with a difficult and long process."I offered Mr. President all the experience that the Slovak government has at its disposal, because in the accession process we made a number of fatal mistakes that if we had not made, our position in the European Union today could be even stronger than it is at this moment," he added.

According to Fico, Slovak-Ukrainian relations are a good example of how sometimes different political views can obscure the essence of cooperation."I consider it very important that we agreed to stay in touch," he said."I believe that step by step, despite the different views we have, despite the sometimes reproaches we direct at each other, relations between Slovakia and Ukraine are destined to be better and of higher quality," Fico concluded.