Czech and Slovak leaders unveil friendship statue in Prague

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš unveiled a bronze statue titled ‘Medzi nami’ (Between Us) in the garden of the Czech Government Office. The sculpture, created by academic sculptor Vladimír Durbák, depicts the Czech Republic and Slovakia shaking hands, symbolizing their close relationship despite being separate nations.

The unveiling took place ahead of the 108th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia. During the ceremony, Fico emphasized that cooperation between the two countries is more critical than ever due to contemporary challenges such as the energy crisis and security threats in Europe. Babiš noted that while the two nations may not always agree on everything, they maintain mutual respect and reliable communication.

The statue was a gift from the Slovak Embassy to the Czech Government Office. This diplomatic gesture follows the resumption of joint government meetings, which had previously been interrupted due to differing foreign policy stances regarding the conflict in Ukraine.