Slovakian Prime Minister Fico to visit China as he seeks ties outside western partners By Reuters
(Reuters) – Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico will visit China from October 30 to November 5 to meet with its leaders and strengthen closer bilateral economic ties, his government said on Tuesday, as Slovakia aims to build alliances outside the European Union and NATO. partners.
Fico will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other leaders and open a business forum in Beijing.
He told parliament last Thursday that the trip was important.
“In my opinion, this is the most important journey I will take in 2024,” he said. “Not only because it will include a great discussion about the possibilities of a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine, but above all it will be about strategic cooperation and looking for other opportunities for economic cooperation with China.”
Fico, who is a friend of Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, has strongly criticized the EU's policies on Ukraine and like Orban has spoken out against sanctions against Russia and has been keen to improve relations with China.
Slovakia, which relies heavily on its auto industry, is one of the EU countries that opposes the planned introduction of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Fico will also visit the factory owned by Gotion while in China. The company plans to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Slovakia with local partner InoBat.
