German-Slovakian relations are excellent and extremely intensive, stressed Chancellor Angela Merkel following her meeting with Prime Minister Robert Fico. Germany and Slovakia will continue their excellent cooperation at bilateral and European levels, and in the field of energy policy, with a view to taking cooperation to new levels.

Slovakia’s EU Presidency and migration policy

On 1 July, Slovakia will take over the EU Presidency. Robert Fico announced that Slovakia intends to act as an honest broker. The possible agenda for Slovakia’s Presidency was at the heart of the meeting. It embraces migration and refugee movements, the EU-Turkey Agreement, and protecting the EU’s external borders, as well as addressing the root causes of displacement.

The renewed rise in the numbers of refugees from North Africa attempting to reach Europe was another item on the agenda. Robert Fico raised the differences in the way Slovakia and Germany see refugee policy. The Austrian model, he said, was a conceivable option for his country. This provides for a cap on the number of asylum seekers the country is willing to accept, and assures them of medical care.

Other issues discussed by the two leaders included the European Commission’s Smart Borders project and the EU Blue Card. They agreed that these projects should be realised as swiftly as possible.

Brexit and access to the European market

Before Slovakia takes over at the helm, the United Kingdom will vote in a referendum on 23 June on the country’s continued EU membership. The two leaders would like to see the UK remain part of the European Union, but, they said, this is of course a matter for British voters to decide.

The British must realise though, that if they leave the EU they forfeit access to the European Single Market. The UK would no longer be able to take advantage of all that the Single Market offers. It would no longer be involved in the negotiations in which the 28 member states are currently involved, and would be treated like any other non-member state.

Energy sector and Nord Stream

Energy policy was also on the agenda of the two leaders. The internal energy market must be finalised and efforts made to translate the provisions of the Paris Agreement into practice, thus making progress in the field of climate policy. The Nord Stream pipeline project is highly relevant. According to the Chancellor, it is an economic project that must be realised in line with the pertinent legal provisions. From a political point of view it is important that the project does not impact inappropriately on either Ukraine or Slovakia.

Germany is Slovakia’s most important trading partner, said Robert Fico. This is illustrated by the more than 400 German businesses that together generate sales of more than 15 billion euros in Slovakia.