Following a meeting with his counterparts from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, Slovak Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacer expressed his criticism towards his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto for holding a bilateral meeting with opposition SMER-SD party leader Robert Fico in Bratislava as well as with opposition's Smer-SD chair Robert Fico and chairman of non-parliamentary Slovak National Party Andrej Danko. Slovak Foreign Minister found the gesture of his Hungarian partner “unreasonable”. In response, Szijjarto claimed that in Slovakia he had met with everyone who supports Hungary. "I wasn't reflecting on what kind of role Danko plays in Slovak politics, but rather assessed the fact that he stands by us," claimed the Hungarian minister, who does not find it disrespectful to meet with distinguished politicians or former prime ministers in a foreign country.
The former Prime Minister Fico declared that he was saddened that Slovakia was not placing any emphasis on cooperation within the V4 (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia). According to Fico, the V4 group managed to promote its interests when its member states were sticking together and embracing this foreign affairs format makes sense both for Slovakia and Hungary. According to Szijjarto, Hungary is interested in having such V4 cooperation continue. "We're very glad that even in Slovakia there are excellent proponents of this idea. I thank Fico for his support regarding this issue," said Szijjarto. Fico underlined that it is unacceptable to have Hungary penalised by the EU for its opinions and stances. The two also discussed anti-Russian sanctions and noted that the sanctions have failed to alter Russia's stance on Ukraine. The ex-chair of the Slovak Parliament Andrej Danko thanked Szijjarto for Hungary's stances within the EU, which are also beneficial to the Slovak Republic and put a lid on the madness coming from Brussels.
The Hungarian Forum party considers the meeting of the Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister with Fico and Danko the crossing of a red line. "Ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia have enough common sense to see that cooperation with Fico and Danko is beyond the pale. We stand on the right side," stated Hungarian Forum chair Zsolt Simon.
Source: TASR
