Premier Fico Cancels Planned Trip to Ukraine Due to Illness

Bratislava/Kiev, 18 September (TASR) - Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has cancelled a planned trip to Ukraine due to illness. He is being represented at the Carpathian Initiative summit by Foreign Affairs Ministry State Secretary Marek Estok, the Government Office has told TASR. In addition to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and new Ukrainian Premier Serhii Koretskyi, Fico was also supposed to meet Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Ukraine. During his visit to Presov on Thursday (17 September), Fico expressed his concerns about how the conflict in Ukraine is evolving. "The situation has never been as serious and tense in terms of the possibility of a pan-European military conflict as it is now. I hope that tomorrow night, when I return from Ukraine, I won't be as sceptical as I am now," said the premier. Fico said that he doesn't want Slovakia to become involved in any war. He stated this in the context of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, according to which an armed attack against one NATO member is considered to be an attack against all members. "Yes, we're part of NATO, we appreciate that, and we are committed to cooperation and meeting our obligations, but as premier, I'll do my utmost to ensure that Slovakia is never drawn into an armed conflict," said Fico. The Carpathian Initiative summit, which runs until Sunday (20 September), brings together representatives from eight countries in the Carpathian region: Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Its goal is to deepen regional cooperation in several areas, including security, the economy, and cross-border collaboration. The organisers expect the participation of state officials, representatives of EU institutions, business leaders and investors. A Carpathian Economic Forum will be held as part of the event, focusing on the region's economic potential, investments, energy, cross-border infrastructure, industrial cooperation, tourism, and nature conservation. The organisers also announced an investment forum, a business trade fair and meetings between companies and public institutions. A Slovak business delegation has also left for Ukraine. Slovakia is represented among the speakers as well. According to the official programme, Economy Ministry State Secretary Vladimir Simonak is listed as a speaker in panel discussions on energy and industrial cooperation. ko/df