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President: Slovakia never blocked EU summit conclusions; Fico defends state’s interests

by AI | 05.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Peter Pellegrini at a meeting with the presidents of the Czech Republic and Austria regarding statements made by the Slovak Prime Minister before the extraordinary EU summit on defense.

President of the SR Peter Pellegrini on the statements of the Slovak Prime Minister before the extraordinary EU summit. PHOTO: TASR

Bratislava/Slavkov u Brna – President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini understands that Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) wants the conclusions of Thursday’s (6 March) EU summit to discuss Ukraine allowing gas transit through its territory to Europe. According to him, he is defending the national interests of the Slovak Republic. He declared this after the Wednesday presidential summit of the Slavkov format (S3) at the Slavkov u Brna castle. He also emphasized that Slovakia has never been a country that would block any decision at the summits, informs TASR.

The head of state believes that the Prime Minister is trying to create pressure that if the EU is to continue helping Ukraine, which has certain impacts, Ukraine could make a gesture of gratitude by allowing renewed gas transit.

“I cannot blame him for this, this hard rhetoric, because he is defending the national interests of the Slovak Republic,” stated Pellegrini.

Czech President Petr Pavel and Austrian head of state Alexander Van der Bellen agreed that if no agreement is reached on Thursday, it is necessary to consider how to find a solution that will not paralyze countries.

“If blocked by any country, there needs to be discussion about whether in the next step it would be appropriate to choose a coalition of the willing, aimed at a specific task that the group of states agrees on, and go this route instead of remaining in a format that, while blocked, becomes ineffective,” said Pavel.

The leaders also reacted to the Wednesday speech of US President Donald Trump in the US Congress. According to Pavel and Van der Bellen, the part about Ukraine was intended for a domestic political audience. The Austrian president noted that relations between the EU and the USA are different than in the past and that the EU cannot rely on anyone “taking care of us”.

Pellegrini believes that despite the new stance of the US administration, the EU should not remain paralyzed. According to him, it should think more intensively and dynamically about the future. At the same time, he considers it important to maintain constructive transatlantic relations. He perceives the most optimal possibility for “clearing the relations” to organize a summit in the EU and USA format. (5 March)