Slovakia's Gaspar Tells Russia: We Want Dialogue, Not Closed Doors

Slovakia is picking conversation over confrontation with Moscow. Deputy Speaker of the Slovakian Parliament Tibor Gaspar told Russia's RIA Novosti on Saturday that his country favors dialogue with Russia rather than what he described as closing doors, according to the outlet.

Gaspar pointed to concrete ground for working together, naming energy, nuclear energy and agriculture among the sectors where he sees room for professional cooperation. He called a pragmatic foreign policy particularly important and said prioritizing dialogue with Russia sits at the center of it.

The stance echoes moves from the top of Slovakia's government. Prime Minister Robert Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing in September, where he voiced hope that the two countries would standardize their relations and broaden bilateral cooperation.

Gaspar's comments, made to a Russian state news agency, put Bratislava's willingness to engage Moscow on the record again — this time from the deputy speaker of its parliament, with energy and agriculture named as the opening bids.