BRATISLAVA, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini has signalled he asked German Chancellor Angela Merkel to support Slovakia's bid for the seat of the European Labour Authority (ELA), currently based in the United Kingdom.

Pellegrini confirmed it at a press conference after meeting with Merkel in Bratislava on Thursday.

"We're a reliable and responsible partner, the only eurozone country in this region, and I believe that we're able to participate fully in deciding on the most important European questions," stated Pellegrini, adding that it's vital for Slovakia to look for a way to the table at which Europe's future direction will be decided.

Merkel didn't confirm support for Slovakia.

"We keep in touch and in dialogue," she said, praising the economic cooperation with Slovakia, especially in automotive industry.

"Slovakia, having only 5.4 million inhabitants, has a very good trade balance with Germany," stressed Merkel.

In regards to the move by Germany and France towards closer integration and the resumption of discussions on the so-called core of the European Union (EU), Pellegrini said that cooperation between the two strongest EU countries is significant and essential.

Merkel will also later meet in Bratislava the prime ministers of V4 countries -- Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. The talks will be focused on the 30th anniversary of social changes in Europe, European agenda, foreign policy, as well as enhancing political, economic and development cooperation. Enditem

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