Andrej Babiš and Slovak Robert Fico unveiled a monument titled Medzi nami
in the garden of the Strakova akademie in Prague on October 27, 2026, marking a diplomatic thaw ahead of the 108th anniversary of Czechoslovakia.
The sculpture was given to the Czech Republic as a symbolic gift from its eastern neighbor to demonstrate repaired ties following Babiš returning to the leadership of the Czech government. The artwork, designed by sculptor Vladimír Durbák and funded by the Penta group, maps the territories of the Czech Republic and Slovakia while joining them at the center with a series of intertwined hands.
Fico, making the diplomatic visit to the Czech capital, congratulated the Czech public ahead of the October 28 anniversary commemorating the 1918 founding of the joint Czechoslovak state. Fico noted that Slovakia feels a part of this history, remarking that after 1993 both nations provided the world with an example of how to part ways while continuing regular meetings, and emphasized that cooperation is now more critical than ever amid current oil crises and security threats. For Babiš, who returned to the head of the Czech government less than a year ago, the ceremony served as tangible proof that Prague and Bratislava have steered away from the friction that defined recent years.
Bilateral Relations Warm After Fiala Policy Freeze
Under former Petr Fiala, traditional intergovernmental consultations were suspended following diplomatic disagreements over foreign policy, particularly regarding military aid to Ukraine and official meetings between Slovak officials and representatives in Moscow. Fiala’s cabinet largely boycotted events like the annual Slovak embassy reception in Prague, whereas Babiš and a portion of his ministers attended the reception this year.
The two cabinets resumed formal joint consultations in March 2026 at the Nová Horka chateau in the Nový Jičín district. Babiš moved swiftly to reverse that posture upon taking office, choosing Slovakia for his first official foreign visit. Babiš noted during the ceremony that the partnership stretches far beyond shared history into active economic coordination, remarking that Czechs and Slovaks share a mutual understanding without needing a translator, common humor, family ties, and mutual reliance.
Andrej Babiš said that we cooperate in industry, transport, energy, security, defense, science, and education.
Premiéři Andrej Babiš a Robert Fico odhalili v zahradě Strakovy akademie sochu Vladimíra Durbáka s názvem Medzi nami. Má vyjadřovat česko-slovenské přátelství.
Fico praised the resurgent significance of the Visegrad Group, which includes Poland and Hungary alongside the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and commended Babiš’s engagement on European Union matters. Fico likewise praised Babiš’s dedication at the EU level during his address.
Protesters Gather Outside the Office of the Government
The high-profile diplomatic event drew immediate opposition from critics of Fico’s foreign policy stance.
November Government Summit and Future Cooperation
Both governments are now preparing for their next formal cabinet meeting.
Babiš confirmed that the upcoming summit will take place on November 10 in Slovakia. That session will focus on evaluating the implementation of a memorandum on deepened intergovernmental cooperation and establishing subsequent policy steps, building on the framework established when traditional intergovernmental consultations were suspended following diplomatic disagreements over foreign policy under the Fiala administration.