The Czech Republic suspends cooperation with Slovakia through a meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation - Guardian (photo)

Experts say that the Czech Republic and Slovakia traditionally had a special relationship in view of their history as part of the former Czechoslovakia. However, recent actions and statements of Slovaks have created tension between governments. The Czech Republic has announced that it suspends intergovernmental consultations with Slovakia against the background of the further departure of this country from the EU from the pan -European policy of support of Russia. The Guardian writes about it.

According to the publication, referring to the opinion of the political circles of the Czech Republic, the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia Yurai Blanar with his colleague with the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov - "It's too for Prague. " "I do not hide that there are differences from a number of very important issues. We consider the meeting of the Foreign Ministry of Slovakia and Russia.

Therefore, the government does not consider it appropriate to hold intergovernmental consultations with the Government of the Slovak Republic," - said on Wednesday, March 6, Prime Minister -Czech Minister Petr Fial. These two countries have traditionally had a special relationship in view of their history as part of the former Czechoslovakia and close economic ties. However, some recent actions and statements of the Slovak establishment have created tensions about foreign policy differences.

Explaining the decision to suspend intergovernmental consultations, Prague officials stressed that they value bilateral ties with their neighbors. "We are associated with Slovakia not only a common history, but also the wealth of family, interpersonal and cultural contacts. However, I think friends should be honest with each other and speak even unpleasant and complex things," the Czech Minister emphasized Jan Lipavsky.

Although Bratislava did not block the help of Kiev at the EU level, and the country's prime minister Robert Fitzo supported dialogue with Ukrainian government officials, his rhetoric about Ukraine and Russia has caused concern in some European capitals, in particular in Prague, which heads the initiative to provide Ukraine with assistance with Ukraine assistance from Ukraine Ammunition and is considered one of Ukraine's most ardent supporters. "We are worried that Slovakia goes wrong.

We must work with Slovaks on practical issues of two neighboring countries, but after Fitzo's statements and meetings of their foreign minister with Lavrov there is no place for such gestures as holding a joint government meeting. The time of the election campaign to the EU Parliament, "said Guardian Czech insiders. Another expert on the part of the Czech Republic noted that Fitzo carefully monitors public opinion surveys and knows that more than 50% of Slovaks support Russia against Ukraine.

What he says is intended for internal consumption, but can also affect foreign policy. "I am not convinced of the sincerity of the West of Peace in Ukraine. And again I will repeat that the West's strategy to use the war in Ukraine to weaken Russia economically, military and politically does not work," - says the word Fitzo, which he wrote last weekend on Facebook.

Last year, the Globsec Analytical Center has shown that only 40% of Slovaks believe that Russia is responsible for the war in Ukraine; 34% said that it "provoked Russia", and 17% noticed that, first of all, the "Ukraine, which oppressed the Russian -speaking part of the population" was guilty. Recall that Focus wrote: Slovakia is very dependent on Russian gas, so Fitzo Prime Minister allows himself anti -Ukrainian statements.