Fico Rejects Danko's Criticism Over Support for EU Summit Statement on Ukraine

Brussels 26 June (TASR-correspondent) - Prime Minister Robert Fico on Thursday criticised the leader of the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) party, Andrej Danko, in a Facebook post for attacking him over key foreign policy issues "out of absolute ignorance," TASR learnt from its special correspondent on the same day. Danko criticised the prime minister for supporting the European Council summit declaration in Brussels on Ukraine, saying he doesn't understand this approach. "I don't understand what A. Danko is trying to achieve. [Hungarian Prime Minister] V. Orban officially announced at the Council today that he can't support the conclusions on Ukraine because his government rejects Ukraine's EU membership. The other 26 EU countries, including Slovakia, support Ukraine's European perspective, so the relevant conclusions were approved in that spirit," Fico stated. The premier added that he had been fighting for Slovakia’s interests in Brussels since the morning, particularly in the field of energy. "It's sad that at home, instead of supporting me, a coalition partner is unjustifiably criticising me," he stated. On Thursday, the leaders of 26 EU-member states expressed their support for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. They also agreed on the need to increase pressure on Russia through new sanctions and to continue supporting Kyiv. Hungary was the only country that refused to endorse the European Council conclusions. lin