Slovak PM calls Czech, Slovak relations "rare form of cooperation"

The tradition of joint sessions of the Slovak and Czech cabinets isn't just a matter of nostalgia, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Monday.

"This excellent and rare form of close cooperation, symbolically and practically expressed by regular joint government sessions, is first and foremost a statement of our linguistic and cultural closeness, and of our mutual cohesion in all areas," said Fico.

Fico warned that one cannot rely on an automatic sustaining of mutual relations.

"We are the guarantors of stability in central Europe. We need to develop new political efforts to strengthen and to use the potential of our relations in all areas and to send our societies new messages about the great value of our friendship and cooperation," added Fico.

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka viewed the fourth meeting of this format as an expression of above-standard partnership and friendship between the two countries and as a useful platform for discussion of various topics.

"We've met during an uneasy period when the EU has to cope with a long list of challenges linked to the migration crisis, security situation and Britain's decision to leave the EU," said Sobotka.

Sobotka pointed out that the most important thing now is to preserve the unity, open dialogue and willingness to cooperate on shaping of the EU's future in the form of the EU27. Sobotka expressed his full support to Slovakia's presidency of the Council of the EU.

"The key priorities of the EU are to boost security and ensure prosperity. We're interested in continuing with our cooperation with Slovakia in the area of addressing the migration crisis -- that is, in the debate about what to do in areas of asylum, migration itself, Schengen area protection and the fight against people smugglers," said Sobotka. Endit