BRATISLAVA – The presidents of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria convened in Slavkov, Czechia, on Wednesday for the Slavkov Format (S3) presidential summit, focusing on cross-border cooperation and foreign policy. However, the summit was notably underscored by ongoing diplomatic tensions between the Czech Republic and Slovakia.   

Czech President Petr Pavel and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini engaged in bilateral discussions amidst a backdrop of strained relations, a stark contrast to the historically close ties between the two nations. The shift in dynamics is largely attributed to the policies of Robert Fico’s fourth government, which have diverged significantly from the Czech Republic’s stance on key foreign policy issues, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia.   

Last year, the Czech government, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, suspended intergovernmental consultations with Slovakia due to these fundamental differences. This decision followed the Slovak government’s pro-Russian leanings, including Prime Minister Fico’s controversial meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.   

Further exacerbating tensions, Fico has publicly accused Czech politicians and media outlets of “interfering in Slovakia’s internal affairs.” In response, President Pellegrini urged President Pavel to “intervene” regarding what he perceives as negative portrayals of Slovakia in Czech media, encompassing talk shows, magazine covers, public debates, and even stand-up comedy. Pellegrini emphasized that Slovakia does not reciprocate this behavior and called for a restoration of mutual respect.

Despite these tensions, both Pellegrini and Pavel underscored the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective on Slovak-Czech relations. They agreed that temporary political and emotional fluctuations should not overshadow the enduring historical bonds between the two nations, which once formed Czechoslovakia.   

President Pavel highlighted the multifaceted nature of the relationship, extending beyond politics to include strong ties among citizens, businesses, and educational institutions. He emphasized that these connections should not be dictated by political disagreements. “We both stressed that relations between our countries should not be negatively affected by differences in views on certain foreign and security policy issues. The relationship between our nations is not defined solely by these matters or by politicians,” Pavel stated.

The leaders also addressed the upcoming EU summit, where Prime Minister Fico has indicated he might block the summit’s conclusions unless the EU demands Ukraine resume gas transit through its territory. Pellegrini acknowledged the significant economic impact of the halted gas transit on Slovakia, while emphasizing that Slovakia has not historically used its veto power in EU decisions.   

President Pavel, a strong advocate for Ukraine, responded that if any nation were to impede the summit’s conclusions, a “coalition of the willing” might be necessary to proceed. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen aligned with Pavel’s position.

The summit underscored the delicate balance between addressing immediate political disputes and preserving long-term regional cooperation in Central Europe.

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