Fico: Slovakia Backs Ukraine's EU Bid If Conditions Met

Bratislava, 25 February (TASR) - Slovakia supports Ukraine's accession to the European Union provided it meets all the necessary conditions required of other candidate countries, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) declared on Wednesday after a cabinet session. At the same time, Fico said he could not imagine Slovakia supporting "any kind of recklessness". "I do not know whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy realises that for Ukraine to join the EU he will need the vote of all member states," Fico noted. He said he wishes Ukraine European prospects. "If Ukraine fulfils the conditions it is required to meet, we are ready to support it and perhaps even share our experience with them," he added. The prime minister described as problematic what he sees as attempts within the EU to invent ways to bypass or deceive the accession conditions. "Suddenly you do not have to prepare for several years like Serbia and Montenegro. Serbia is being misled from morning to evening. What should Albania and Montenegro say, as they're undertaking difficult reforms to join the EU?" Fico said. Fico described Ukraine as a corrupt country that behaves disrespectfully towards EU member states. "And we are expected to raise our hands to vote yea like sheep," he said. If a vote on Ukraine's EU accession were held at present and President Zelenskyy's current conduct continued, Slovakia would insist on the full meeting of accession conditions, according to the prime minister. mf/mcs