sk flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by TASR.

Fico defends his visit to China; the economy of Slovakia is more threatened by the Green Deal than by China, he claims

by AI | 30.Oct 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic described his visit to China as very important, also for the economy of Slovakia.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico defends his upcoming visit to China. Photo: TASR

“`html

Bratislava – The business trip of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to China is extremely important, thirteen documents will be signed during it, and it will include meetings with the top leaders of this Asian power. Fico said after the government’s meeting on Wednesday, reports TASR.

The Prime Minister also rejected the opposition’s criticism. Opposition representatives suggested that the Prime Minister’s trip to China contradicts Slovakia’s national and economic interests.

“China is becoming a decisive world player and I even think that settling the dispute in Ukraine will not be possible without China’s active cooperation,” said Fico shortly before departing for Beijing. He added that it is a country with 1.5 billion inhabitants, it is stable and guarantees peace and a certain level of balance not only in the region but also in the entire world.

In Beijing, Robert Fico will meet with the Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang, the Slovak delegation will also be received by the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji. Within the program, the Prime Minister of SR will open a business forum in Beijing and visit the company Gotion in the city of Hefei, Anhui Province, and inspect its production plant. Gotion is involved in the construction of a factory for the production of batteries for electric vehicles in the south of Slovakia in Šurany.

The Prime Minister rejected claims that his trip threatens Slovakia’s economy. According to him, if anyone threatens the economy of the Slovak Republic, it is the green deal approved by the EU. Next year, according to him, it will experience difficult economic times due to its decisions. He cited tariffs on Chinese electric cars and expected retaliation from China as an example.

According to the Prime Minister, the visit to China does not threaten Slovak democracy either. “The greatest threat to Slovak democracy is our system of political parties, we have a hundred political parties. We have issues that threaten Slovak democracy much more than anything else in the world. My visit to China does not threaten democracy in the SR in any way,” he emphasized.

He also rejected the notion that the visit would threaten the country’s security. “Security was jeopardized by opposition MPs and politicians, who weakened Slovakia’s defense capabilities by donating MiGs and the air defense system,” he stated.

The Prime Minister added that he still has an important trip to Brazil and next year he included a visit to Vietnam among the “important trips.” “We want to go where we see business opportunities, it is pointless for us to make visits around Europe, where practically all possibilities are exhausted, we have to look for new opportunities,” added Fico. (October 30)

“`