Lexmann: we Witnessed Clash of Two Worlds at Press Conference of Fico and Rubio

Bratislava, 15 February (TASR) - At a press conference held by Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, we witnessed a clash of two worlds, MEP for the opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) Miriam Lexmann stated on Sunday, adding that the only point on which they agreed was trade cooperation between Slovakia and the United States of America. "Rubio highlighted this cooperation in the form of the purchase of aircraft and nuclear technology for another reactor for the Slovak Republic. Of course, Rubio also spoke about economic cooperation at the conference in Munich. It is a strong part of what we want to develop in the transatlantic world between the United States and Europe," noted Lexmann. On the other hand, she believes it's necessary to say that it was a clash of two worlds, with Fico constantly repeating his foreign affairs policy oriented in all four cardinal directions. "Fico somehow defended himself regarding his visits to Moscow and Beijing, as well as his cooperation with totalitarian regimes. Marco Rubio was very critical of this in Munich, and in his own way, between the lines, he mentioned it again today in Slovakia. He said that this multilateralism, or policy oriented in all four cardinal directions in Robert Fico's rhetoric, isn't working," said the MEP. Member of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) presidium Ivan Korcok saw the press conference as another missed opportunity to stand up for what is important for Slovakia. "Not a word about the EU being our living space, not even a hint that the US should abandon its confrontational stance towards the [European] Union. Where is the sovereign rejection of the devastating impact of tariffs on our automotive industry?" he asks. He doesn't believe that this was a defence of Slovakia's interests, but merely the usual rhetorical exercise on sovereignty and foreign policy oriented in all four cardinal directions aimed at a domestic audience. am