Premier Had Several Meetings at EPC Summit in Tirana, Including with Kallas (2)

Tirana, May 16 (TASR-correspondent) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) held a number of joint and bilateral talks at the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Tirana, Albania, on Friday. The premier also held discussions with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, calling on her to show mutual respect. The premier made the statement at a press conference in Tirana. "I told the high representative at this meeting that there is no legal document, there is no binding political position in the European Union that would prevent me from choosing the destinations of my foreign visits and, at the same time, the way I behave on these foreign trips," said the premier in connection with his Moscow visit during the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War on May 9. Kallas publicly criticised his trip, saying that Fico was on the wrong side of history when he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Fico went on to say that he wants them to exchange information with the EU foreign policy chief and not to send political messages, announcing that he intends to visit both Vietnam and Cuba this year. Fico also met with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez and discussed the economic consequences of stopping energy imports to EU countries. The Slovak premier stated that they agreed that both countries will prepare for the issue on an "expert basis" and will subsequently intervene in the process when drafting legislative acts. The Slovak prime minister also said that a platform of states wishing to join the EU and states that have experience with the accession process is being formed in Europe. Fico can imagine Slovakia's participation in such a group of countries. Premier Fico also held talks with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and discussed with her his planned visit to Rome. According to Fico, the European leaders also debated the war in Ukraine and the future of the European Union. am