Government Plane Had Accident at Brussels Airport, Is Not Airworthy

Brussels/Bratislava, 18 December (TASR) - The government plane of the Interior Ministry's Aviation Department, which brought Slovak Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to Brussels for the EU-Western Balkans summit and the European Council meeting on Wednesday (17 December), had an accident at Brussels airport. The premier has announced that a vehicle with mobile stairs smashed the aircraft to the point that it is unairworthy. "The demanding summit in Brussels didn't start well. A car with mobile stairs smashed our plane at the airport so that it is unflyable and we have to leave it here," said Fico. The premier participated in the summit leaders of the European Council and the Western Balkan countries on Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning Fico plans to attend a meeting of the informal group on industry and competitiveness that will be followed by the EU summit itself. The presidents and premiers of the EU member states will discuss the financing of Ukraine, European security, EU's enlargement and the long-term budget for 2028-2034. Discussions will also concern the situation in the Middle East, migration and competitiveness. The premier should return to Slovakia no later than Friday (19 December). ko