On the EU's next long-term budget, Fico said Slovakia supported maintaining a strong cohesion policy to reduce regional disparities across the bloc.

　　"We're even saying that some extra funding should be found for countries in the eastern part of the EU, which, for example, share borders with Ukraine," he said, adding that a strong agricultural policy is another key Slovak priority.

　　The two leaders also discussed EU enlargement. Fico reiterated Slovakia's support for countries seeking membership, but said all applicants must meet the required criteria.

　　"That means no exceptions and no shortcuts. And that also applies to Ukraine," he stressed.

　　Fico said Ukraine should not be allowed to overtake countries such as Montenegro, Albania or Serbia in the accession process, arguing that they had been preparing for EU membership for much longer.