Fico: No Political Issues Hinder Cooperation between Slovakia and Uzbekistan

Bratislava/Tashkent, 9 June (TASR-correspondent) - There are no unresolved political issues between Slovakia and Uzbekistan that would hinder cooperation between the two countries, said Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) following his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Monday, stressing mainly defence cooperation, TASR has learnt from its special correspondent. Cooperation in the arms industry should be mutually beneficial for both countries; for Slovakia mainly in the context of growing pressure from NATO to increase defence spending. "It's not just about sales, we're also interested in joint production," said Fico, who believes that an agreement on bilateral defence cooperation will be signed soon. Following the talks with the president of Uzbekistan, Fico stated that he won't heed any criticism that might come regarding Slovakia. "Any time we make any sovereign decision in Slovakia, we are immediately under international pressure," said the Slovak premier. Fico believes that he and Mirziyoyev found several common areas during their talks, and he thinks that they have defined areas in which the countries can cooperate in a precise manner. "I will inform the Slovak public about these areas in great detail. And as far as I know the European Commission's administration, it will also be very interested in the content of our talks and the conclusions we've reached," said the Slovak premier. Fico highlighted the importance of Uzbekistan's stabilising role in Central Asia and congratulated the Uzbek president on the progress the country has been making under his leadership. ko/df