Photo: CTK/gnews.cz
PRAGUE - President Petr Pavel respects the Czech government's decision to suspend consultations with the Slovak government. He understands the reason and considers this decision to be correct. He does not see the suspension as permanent. Pavel told reporters in Kersk, Nymburk region, at the end of a two-day visit to the Central Bohemian Region.
"Of course, I respect the decision of our government to postpone the joint negotiations with the Slovak government, and I understand the reason for this, which is that there are really significant differences, especially in the view on the main foreign policy topics, especially the war in Ukraine and the attitude towards Russia," the President said.
He does not see this as a permanent break, on the contrary, he thinks that the relations between the two countries have a deeper basis and a broader scope than the joint negotiations of the governments. Relations at various levels will continue, he said, and at the presidential level they are excellent and he sees no reason why they should be spoiled, he added.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) said after Wednesday's cabinet meeting that Czech-Slovak intergovernmental consultations will not take place in the coming weeks or months. The government does not consider it appropriate. The Czech Republic and Slovakia have a number of common themes that should be developed, but there are significant differences of opinion on key foreign policy issues, he said. The opposition criticises the decision.
CTK/gnews.cz-JaV_07
