Slovak-US meeting could revive neglected relations

Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini's reception at the White House by US President Donald Trump next Friday could revive the relations between the United States and Central Europe, said Rastislav Káčer, former Slovak ambassador in Washington. "The United States somewhat neglected Central Europe under Barack Obama's two terms," said Káčer. Strategic and security issues could be high on the agenda of the talks, said the former ambassador. He pointed out that Slovakia, as a NATO, EU, Schengen and Eurozone member, is one of the most deeply integrated EU countries in the region. "This boosts our value and sovereignty vis-a-vis the US, as we're viewed as a relatively stronger player. On the other hand, we're on NATO's periphery, located on its eastern border," said Káčer, pointing to the war-torn Ukraine, which is Slovakia's neighbor. Káčer perceives the meeting as a good signal that the Slovak prime minister has become the second leader from Central Europe to be invited to the White House by Trump after Czech Premier Andrej Babiš earlier this year.