Slovakia backs Armenia-EU ties, offers support

PanARMENIAN.Net - Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has expressed unwavering support for strengthening relations between Armenia and the European Union, offering Slovakia's assistance in Armenia's EU integration efforts.

Speaking at the second Yerevan Dialogue international conference, Fico congratulated Armenia and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on organizing the event, emphasizing its significance for discussing regional and global issues.

Fico stated that Slovakia is prepared to share its experience in market and social reforms to aid Armenia in fully realizing the potential of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU and advancing visa liberalization talks.

He highlighted Slovakia's foreign policy priorities, including promoting global cooperation, fostering peace, and enhancing bilateral relations with Armenia.

Fico noted that Slovakia's industry is the backbone of its economy, warning that an escalation in trade tensions with the U.S. could jeopardize 20,000 jobs. Therefore, he stressed the importance of diversifying trade relations with countries interested in free trade.

Discussing Armenia-Slovakia relations, Fico emphasized the need to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in nuclear energy, automotive, defense, and tourism sectors. He acknowledged Armenia as Slovakia's main trading partner in the region and expressed a desire to further boost trade.

Fico affirmed Slovakia's continued support for the EU monitoring mission in Armenia, recognizing its proven value. He also mentioned Slovakia's participation in NATO's KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo as another avenue for close cooperation between the two countries. Additionally, he commended Armenia's contributions to the stability of the Western Balkans.

Concluding his remarks, Fico thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for his leadership in pursuing a final peace agreement with Azerbaijan. He emphasized that such a settlement would send a strong message to Europe that conflicts can be resolved through diplomatic efforts, underscoring the importance of maintaining momentum and ensuring a smooth conclusion to the process.