The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, stated on Tuesday that the European Union (EU) should engage in 'friendly' competition with China rather than viewing the country as an adversary and imposing barriers.
These remarks were made following meetings in Bratislava with President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, who began his annual tour of EU capitals in Slovakia. Fico expressed concern that the EU is capable of competing globally, asserting that increasing competitiveness should not mean introducing new tariffs or obstacles, but rather striving to surpass others.
Fico emphasized his differing view on EU-China relations, stating: 'I do not think we should fight China by erecting barriers and viewing it as an enemy. China is a country with which we should compete in a friendly spirit and strive to become better.'
Discussions between the two leaders also covered the long-term EU budget, competitiveness, energy prices, and the expansion of the Union. Regarding the EU budget, Fico noted Slovakia's support for maintaining a strong cohesion policy to reduce regional inequality within the bloc.
He added that 'we are even talking about providing additional funding for countries in Eastern Europe, such as those bordering Ukraine,' and pointed out that a strong agricultural policy is another key priority for Slovakia.
On the issue of EU enlargement, Fico reiterated support for candidate countries while insisting that all applicants must meet established criteria. He stressed that this means no exceptions or loopholes, and that this applies to Ukraine. Fico stated that Ukraine should not be allowed to overtake countries like Montenegro, Albania, or Serbia in the accession process, as the latter have been preparing for EU membership for much longer.