Lajcak after getting the messages in Epstein file: I felt like an idiot.

Miroslav Lajcak gave an interview for public broadcaster Rádio Slovenesko After his name appeared in the recent publication of Jeffrey Epstein's files on Friday, while the next day he resigned as adviser to Prime Minister Robert Fico.

So far he had avoided speaking to the media, relying only on written statements. In transmission, he largely stood the line put forward in his Saturday reaction.

I don't really remember those messages,” told the Slovak diplomat radio, referring to exchanges involving girls. “I can't confirm, nor deny. ”

After reading the messages again, he added that he felt “as an idiot”.

But that does not rule me out of responsibility,” he said. “I've shown poor judgment and inappropriate communication. Those messages were nothing but male ego in action. ”

Lajcak explained that he had arrived in New York in 2017 to take a one-year post in the United Nations and that he had been introduced to Epstein by a senior foreign diplomat. According to him, Epstein was widely known and met numerous business and political figures from the US and abroad.

Lajcak said he saw no reason not to meet him, arguing that making contacts was part of his job. “Why wouldn't I, a son from Slovakia?” he said. “was a valid contact. ”

He said that he later became aware of Epstein's conviction in 2008 of a sexual act, but he stressed that many influential figures continued to associate with him. This led him to believe that he had no problem doing the same.

My relationship with him was in words, not actions. Today I am paying the award for communication with him and his recognition,” said Lajcak, condemning crimes that came to light following Epstein's arrest in 2019.

He also confirmed that he had visited Epstein's apartment, but said other business and political figures were present. There was no girl,” he insisted. This part of Epstein's life was out of my knowledge. He didn't talk about it, and I didn't ask.” He added: “My conscience is clear. ”

Lajcak also denied that former White House main strategy Steve Bannon, who sought to unite European populists in 2018, had met with Robert Ficon, despite published messages suggesting a possible meeting. The Slovak prime minister has not confirmed whether such a meeting has ever occurred.

“I don't love Lavrov,” said Lajcak, acknowledging that former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had once been professional models for him. “I changed my view of Lavrov when he became the face and voice of the aggressor in Ukraine.” In one of the messages, Lajcak wrote he loved Lavrov, Reporter reports, broadcasts Periscope.