Slovakia’s fico ready to cooperate with hungary’s new prime minister

Monday 13 April 2026 - 08:30

Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has expressed his readiness to work closely with Hungary’s incoming leader, Peter Magyar, following a surprising electoral shift in the country.

In an official statement released on Monday, Fico congratulated Magyar on his victory and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong bilateral relations. He noted that cooperation between Slovakia and Hungary remains essential, particularly in areas such as energy security and regional stability.

The election marked a significant political change, ending the long tenure of Viktor Orbán, who had led Hungary for over a decade and a half. Despite backing Orbán prior to the vote, Fico acknowledged the democratic choice of Hungarian citizens and signaled openness to building a constructive partnership with the new government.

Under Fico’s leadership, Slovakia has maintained close ties with Hungary, with both countries often sharing similar positions within the European Union, particularly regarding sanctions and energy policies linked to Russia.

Energy cooperation remains a central issue. Both nations have shown interest in restoring operations along the Druzhba pipeline, a major oil supply route that has faced disruptions in recent months due to regional instability. Fico reiterated that safeguarding energy interests continues to be a shared priority for Central European countries.

Meanwhile, relations with Ukraine remain complex. Slovak and Hungarian leaders have previously had tense exchanges with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, particularly over differing approaches to the ongoing conflict and energy transit issues.

Fico also took the opportunity to praise Orbán for his past cooperation, highlighting what he described as a period of strong Slovak-Hungarian relations built on mutual respect and shared national interests.