Top German diplomat: Risking the Slovak-German relationship would be utterly foolish
For Thomas Kurz, Slovakia is the final assignment of his diplomatic career.
In the 1990s, Slovakia’s emergence as an independent nation came as a surprise to many in Germany, given the broader global events of the time, according to Germany’s new ambassador to Slovakia Thomas Kurz. During the late 1990s, Vladimír Mečiar did not raise significant concerns within Germany, he tells The Slovak Spectator.
Today, Slovakia remains an important partner for Germany, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges posed by Russian aggression and the war in Ukraine. The collaboration between Germany and Slovakia extends across various sectors, including security and economic investments, though there are still areas that need alignment, such as migration policy and energy cooperation.
You have been working for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs since the 1990s. You focused on central and eastern Europe, economically (1993-1994) and later politically (1997-2000). How was Slovakia perceived by Germany at that time?
Initially, there wasn’t a special focus on Slovakia per se. At the beginning of the 1990s, Slovakia did not exist as an independent country; it was part of Czechoslovakia. And there was so much else happening, such as the war in Yugoslavia, the collapse of the Soviet Union, German reunification, and significant global developments. There simply wasn’t space to focus on Slovakia specifically.
However, it was somewhat surprising to us Germans, and to me personally, when the Czech Republic and Slovakia split. Perhaps we didn’t know enough about these countries, but when it happened, it was a surprise to some extent. We were, of course, relieved and grateful that the separation was peaceful, especially considering that there was a bloody war in Yugoslavia at that time. It was heartening to see that the separation occurred without conflict. The situation in Slovakia was stable, so there was no pressing reason to give it special attention.
However, since Slovakia is no longer a neighbouring country – [as part of Czechoslovakia] it used to be – its visibility on the German political horizon has diminished somewhat. The Czech Republic has remained our primary focus, with Slovakia often considered only afterwards. This is something we are still addressing today: striving to pay more attention to developments in Slovakia.
What about Slovakia’s quasi-authoritarian 1990s prime minister Vladimír Mečiar? Was he not a concern for Germany?
I don’t think he was a concern. I do remember that period, of course. Mečiar did have a special reputation. Let’s leave it at that.
How did you perceive Slovakia?
Well, I don’t think there was a significant difference from how it was viewed from the perspective of the German government. I was part of the desk dealing with central Europe from 1997 to 2000. I worked on a desk responsible for all our eastern neighbours, from the Baltic countries to Slovenia. During that time, we did have specific bilateral issues with the Czechs. For instance, I was involved in negotiating the “Fund for the Future”, a significant bilateral agreement between the Czech Republic and Germany. That was a complex and crucial process for both countries. In comparison, managing relations with Slovakia was simpler. It was a relatively easy task for us in terms of bilateral relations. This might not be a very diplomatic answer, but that's the reality of the situation.
Did you travel to Slovakia often at that time?
The first time I visited Slovakia was earlier this year, after I learned that I would be coming here.
You have worked as a diplomat in Rwanda, Uganda, Vienna, Turkey and Afghanistan. Why did you choose Slovakia now?
Foremost, it’s not really our choice. You can’t ask me why I chose Slovakia for my posting. You can only apply for vacancies or positions that might be available in the following year, when you’re due for a transfer. Among various European destinations, I requested Bratislava because I had experience with the region, having worked with it twice at the ministry back home. I had been to Vienna before, so I was familiar with the area, and I found Slovakia to be an interesting place at this time. I should add that this is my final posting; after spending three years here, I will retire. And for the first time in my 33 years at the ministry, they granted me what I wanted. Slovakia was on my wish list.
Former president Zuzana Čaputová met President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Germany several times, most recently in April, when he praised her for her pro-European stances and protection of the rule of law. They first met in the summer of 2019, two months after Čaputová’s inauguration. When do you think President Steinmeier will meet President Peter Pellegrini, who, like President Steinmeier, considers himself a social democrat?
I’m pretty sure this will happen later this year. Both presidents have indicated their plans. Before I left, I spoke with President Steinmeier, and I met President Pellegrini when I handed over my credentials at the end of July. Both mentioned that President Pellegrini intends to visit Berlin later this year. Although there is no fixed date yet, they are considering late September or October.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister Robert Fico already met earlier this year in Germany. The topic was more or less the war in Ukraine, but Scholz’s Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) supported the suspension of the Smer party from the pan-European Party of European Socialists (PES). Does the German government see the Slovak government as a reliable partner?
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