Robert Fico, prime minister of Slovakia | Thierry Charlier/AFP via Getty Images Slovak PM: Future of EU ‘cannot be decided by a few’ Robert Fico says it will be good for leaders to meet ‘outside Brussels.’

BRATISLAVA — The future direction of the European Union after the British referendum shouldn't be decided by just a few countries, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Thursday.

Speaking a day before Slovakia takes over the agenda-setting presidency of the EU's Council of Ministers, Fico vented the frustration of several countries who insist their views should not be ignored as the bloc grapples with how to retool itself after a Brexit.

“The crucial decisions on the future of Europe cannot be defined by decisions of one or two member states or by the founding member states of the European Union," Fico said at a press conference in his residence.

Fico's remarks referred to crisis talks held by the bloc's founding member countries — France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands — and to a trilateral meeting among Germany, France and Italy in the immediate aftermath of the British vote. Those talks, ahead of an "informal" summit Wednesday in Brussels of leaders of all 27 countries that will stay in the EU, spurred criticism from some countries who felt they were being left out of crucial discussions.

“They are angrier than usual,” said one diplomat from a founding EU country, describing the mood among his counterparts from newer members.

The 27 EU leaders eventually agreed Wednesday to start a period of "political reflection" on the way forward, and to meet again in September in Bratislava for more extensive talks.

Fico said the decision to discuss the bloc's future in his country offered leaders an important opportunity to meet "outside Brussels," which he said had a negative image.