Fico informed EU leaders about his visit to China, after returning from Beijing he will meet with Zelensky
Bratislava – Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico (Smer-SD) confirmed on social media on Monday that during his visit to Beijing, he will hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other statesmen. He specified that he informed EU representatives about his visit to Beijing in a timely manner and added that after returning from China, he will move to eastern Slovakia on Thursday evening (September 4) to hold a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday (September 5).
“If there is a chance to meet with world leaders in Beijing, in addition to paying respect to the victims of war, it should be taken. There will be heads of state representing billions of inhabitants. There will be heads of state who have their own opinions, perhaps right, perhaps wrong, but opinions that need to be heard and respected,” stated Robert Fico, noting that EU representatives were informed in a timely manner about his trip.
He added that Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) exchanged necessary information with the head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas.
The Office of the Government of Slovakia specified that the Prime Minister will depart for China on Monday evening. He will meet with Putin on Tuesday (September 2). He will participate in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on Wednesday (September 3). He will also honor the victims of war by laying a wreath at the Heroes’ Monument in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
“On Thursday, September 4, Robert Fico will negotiate with the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, as well as with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng,” stated the press and information department of the government office.
According to his own words, Fico is sorry and does not understand why only Slovakia will be represented in Beijing from the EU member states. “A new world order is being created, new rules of a multipolar world, a new balance of power, which is extremely important for stability in the world. Being part of such discussions means supporting dialogue and not acting like a sulking little child. This is how the EU and its representatives behave today,” stated the Slovak Prime Minister.
In justifying his trip to China, he also refers to the Constitution of Slovakia, which according to him, in its Preamble, imposes “on every single Slovak politician the obligation to seek permanent peaceful cooperation with other democratic states.” He reiterated that his method of work is a sovereign Slovak peaceful foreign policy oriented towards all four corners of the world and based “on the consistent respect for international law and accepted commitments.” Fico accepted the invitation to the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in China because he respects every victim of the fight against fascism.
The Slovak Prime Minister will participate in a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia. Russian President plans to meet with Fico on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in the Chinese city of Tianjin. (September 1)
“A new world order is being created, new rules of a multipolar world, a new balance of power, which is extremely important for stability in the world. Being part of such discussions means supporting dialogue and not acting like a sulking little child. This is how the EU and its representatives behave today.” Robert Fico
