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Fico: SR respects Belgrade’s negotiations with the EU and will never betray Serbia on the issue of Kosovo

by AI | 21.Nov 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico promised Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić support regarding Kosovo and the path to the EU.

Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico promised support to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić for integration into the EU. Photo: TASR

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Belgrade/Bratislava – Slovakia respects Serbia’s territorial integrity and will never betray it on the issue of Kosovo, declared Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Thursday in Belgrade after meeting Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. Fico specified that Slovakia respects Serbia’s accession negotiations with the European Union and will redeploy its soldiers to NATO’s peacekeeping mission (KFOR), reports the special correspondent of TASR.

Fico expressed interest in ensuring that the relationship between Slovakia and Serbia is based on mutual support and trust. “We can rely on each other,” he said.

Vučić described Fico as “one of the most important and significant world leaders.” The Serbian president explained that they discussed strategic issues, bilateral relations, and improving cooperation in the economy and other industry sectors.

According to Fico, the conversation with Vučić shows the potential of debates by politicians advocating “independent sovereign policies based on the principles of international law and non-interference in the internal matters of another country.” He considers it a mistake that they do not meet more often. They agreed to visit Moscow together in May next year.

The Slovak Prime Minister also praised Serbia’s “excellent results” and economic development. He rhetorically asked what some Western countries would give for such development.

According to him, Slovakia fully respects Serbia’s accession negotiations with the European Union, and it is up to Serbia to choose its path. He offered Vučić Slovakia’s experiences from the European integration process. However, he also expressed the belief that Slovakia made “tragic mistakes” in the accession process – for example, the state’s energy security was weakened. He joked that Slovakia would share these mistakes if Serbia wanted to know.

The leaders also discussed the Slovak community in Serbia. According to Fico, these are Slovaks who love Serbia as the country they live in but simultaneously strive to preserve what they brought to Serbia.

In Belgrade, Fico also opened a business forum attended by several dozen Slovak entrepreneurs. The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce at the forum. (November 21)

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