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Slovakia’s PM Visits Yerevan & Meets Armenia’s PM, Cites Huge Potential for Cooperation in Nuclear Energy, Economy & Defense Sector

Zartonk Featured ArticlesSlovakia’s PM Visits Yerevan & Meets Armenia’s PM, Cites Huge Potential for Cooperation in Nuclear Energy, Economy & Defense Sector

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Armenia and supporting regional peace during an official visit to Yerevan on May 26.

The visit, which included meetings with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and participation in the Yerevan Dialogue 2025 forum, highlighted growing cooperation between the two countries across political, economic, and security spheres.

Following an official welcoming ceremony, Prime Ministers Pashinyan and Fico held private talks, followed by an expanded meeting with their respective delegations. Both leaders highlighted the untapped potential in Armenian-Slovak relations and emphasized the need to develop a specific roadmap for cooperation.

“We already managed to discuss that there is a huge potential to develop our relations in all directions, and your visit is a very good opportunity to once again take stock of these opportunities and focus on specific directions,” Pashinyan said, thanking Fico for his support of Armenia’s regional peace agenda and the European Union Monitoring Mission in Armenia.

During a joint press conference, Fico described Armenia as a key partner for Slovakia, citing shared Christian heritage, expanding economic ties, and a mutual interest in regional stability.

“This is a very important forum to discuss regional and global issues of vital importance,” he said at the Yerevan Dialogue, adding that strengthening relations with Armenia is a top foreign policy priority for Slovakia.

Fico voiced strong support for Armenia’s ongoing peace negotiations with Azerbaijan and pledged to share the latest updates from Pashinyan with his European counterparts. “We are ready to fully support these efforts,” he said. “This is a strong signal to Europe that conflicts can be resolved through diplomacy.”

The Slovak Prime Minister emphasized that his country’s foreign policy is firmly rooted in EU and NATO commitments while remaining oriented toward sovereign, bilateral partnerships.

“It is very important for us to develop mutually beneficial bilateral relations,” Fico said, inviting Pashinyan to visit Slovakia and praising the “valuable” substance of their private discussions.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of cooperation opportunities, particularly in the fields of industry, agriculture, energy, and tourism.

Fico also highlighted trade potential in strategic sectors such as nuclear energy, automotive, and defense. He noted the presence of Slovak business representatives in Yerevan as a sign of growing economic engagement.

On the defense front, Fico emphasized the need for smaller countries like Slovakia and Armenia to invest in self-reliant defense capabilities. He advocated for channeling military budgets not only into arms purchases but also into dual-use infrastructure such as hospitals, roads, and bridges.

The Slovak delegation also expressed readiness to share its experience in implementing economic and social reforms. Fico offered support for Armenia’s efforts to strengthen ties with the European Union, particularly through advancing the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and promoting visa liberalization.

Fico reiterated Slovakia’s backing for the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia, recognizing its role in ensuring regional stability.

He also praised Armenia’s peacekeeping contributions in Kosovo and its commitment to security in the Western Balkans. “We highly appreciate Armenia’s contribution to the stability of the Western Balkans,” he said.

Both sides agreed on the importance of organizing high-level mutual visits to energize bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering democratic reforms and institutional cooperation.

Pashinyan expressed hope that Fico would return to Armenia in the spring for the European Political Community summit scheduled to be held in Yerevan.

As part of his visit, Prime Minister Fico, accompanied by Armenian officials, paid tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

On May 27, Fico visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in Yerevan, where he laid a wreath at the memorial and placed flowers at the Eternal Flame, honoring the memory of the genocide victims with a moment of silence. Fico also planted a fir tree at the Memory Alley in remembrance of the victims.

Fico was accompanied by Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan, and First Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Armen Pambukhchyan.

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