Fico During Discussion with Students: Slovakia Must Voice Its Own EU Positions

Bratislava, 24 June (TASR) - Slovakia's EU membership must be based upon a partnership, Prime Minister Robert Fico told secondary-school students in Bardejov (Presov region) during a school discussion attended also by Justice Minister Boris Susko, Education Minister Tomas Drucker, Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Marek Estok on Wednesday, TASR learnt from the Government Office's press department on the same day. Earlier in the day, the government held an away-from-home session in the village of Malcov, in Bardejov district. "Our EU membership is a partnership, not a relationship between a vassal and a master in Brussels. If we are to be partners, we must have the right to our own opinion, based on our needs and objectives. Slovakia can and must openly formulate its positions on the European agenda because the Union is our living space," Fico stated during the discussion. The prime minister also briefed students on the meeting of the Visegrad Group (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) prime ministers held in Hungary the previous day. "From 1 July 2026, Slovakia will assume the presidency, and I publicly declared that only together can we be stronger and more respected. We want to focus primarily on issues where there is agreement among us and avoid unnecessarily dwelling on topics that divide us," he said. "I believe meetings with young people will continue, and I am grateful for every new perspective they bring on Slovakia and the world," Fico said at the conclusion of the discussion. mf