Bavarian Premier Asks Slovak PM Fico to Maintain Pro-European Course

Bavarian Premier Markus Söder urged Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to maintain Slovakia's pro-European orientation during discussions between the two leaders. The meeting focused primarily on economic issues affecting both regions. The request comes as Fico, who leads the ruling Smer-SD party, has taken increasingly critical positions toward certain EU policies since returning to power last year. Bavaria, Germany's southernmost state, shares economic and cultural ties with Slovakia through their proximity and cross-border business relationships.