Fico Describes Magyar's Remarks as Tough Talk, Emphasises Slovakia's Sovereignty

Bratislava, 4 June (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) described Hungarian Premier Peter Magyar's statement that Hungary "borders itself" as "strong words" and also pointed out that Hungary borders the sovereign Slovak Republic to the north, TASR has learnt from Fico's post on social media on Thursday. According to the Slovak premier, "tough talk" helps no one; it only increases tension, and common sense and pragmatism are needed. "Germany also paid the price for its chancellor's [Friedrich Merz] strong rhetoric. It failed to win a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Such an international failure by such a huge and powerful country is inexplicable," he stated. Fico also noted that more and more prime ministers are calling for dialogue between the EU and Russia. According to him, German companies "rushed" to the summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. "I myself have said many times that once the war is over, everyone will be breaking their legs sprinting back to the Russian market. Perhaps I shouldn't have voiced my opinions prematurely," he noted. The Hungarian prime minister's remarks have also been rejected by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD), describing the statement as absurd and a denial of history. Speaking on Thursday during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the signing of the 1920 Treaty of Trianon, Magyar said that Hungary is "the only country in the world that borders itself". According to him, this is why good relations with neighbouring countries are essential. He added that this had not always been the case in recent years and that dialogue had even been interrupted with Hungary's most important allies in the Visegrad Group (V4: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia). am