Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (R) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during their meeting in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, on Feb. 12, 2019. (Xinhua/TASR/Michal Svitok)

BRATISLAVA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. and the European Union (EU) should remain the closest partners and allies, Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak stated during his meeting here on Tuesday with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"We're not close only from the historical viewpoint but also in terms of values, and at the same time we're reciprocally the greatest business partners and investors," said the Slovak minister.

But he acknowledged meanwhile that there are differences between the two sides. "Of course, there are topics on which we have different opinions, but it's important that we hold talks on them, knowing that together we're stronger," stressed Lajcak.

Lajcak and Pompeo also discussed the bilateral trade relations, including the concerns about U.S. customs duties.

"The USA wants to be a partner of Slovakia and the EU. We want to work in a free and fair system where trade is reciprocal, there is fair competition, and both economies grow. We want to make sure that all companies that participate in these markets have the same conditions," Pompeo said.

Pompeo is on a central Europe tour that includes Hungary, Slovakia and Poland.