Xinhua News Agency, Bratislava, August 25 (Reporter: Liu Haodong) – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico emphasized during a meeting with visiting European Council President António Costa in Bratislava on the 25th that the European Union should avoid creating barriers or treating China as an “enemy.” Instead, the EU and China should coexist through friendly competition.

According to a report by the News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR) on the same day, Fico expressed concern over the EU’s international competitiveness during the meeting. Fico remarked that enhancing competitiveness should not involve imposing new tariffs or erecting trade barriers, but rather should involve striving to improve and surpass other countries.

Fico used EU-China relations as an example to illustrate his perspective: “I have a different view regarding the relationship between the EU and China. I believe we should not oppose China by creating barriers or treating it as an ‘enemy,’” he said. Instead, the EU and China should cooperate through friendly competition, with the EU focusing on bolstering its own strengths and competitiveness, he added.

In addition, Fico and Costa exchanged views on EU enlargement. Fico reiterated that the Slovak government supports the accession of all countries seeking to join the EU but stressed that aspiring member states must meet all membership criteria. “This means no exceptions and no shortcuts, and this principle applies equally to Ukraine,” he affirmed.

Fico further stated that Ukraine should not surpass countries like Montenegro, Albania, and Serbia in the accession process, as these nations have been preparing for EU membership for a much longer time.

On the same day, Fico and Costa also discussed issues such as the EU’s multiannual financial framework for 2028–2034 and energy prices.(End)