PM Fico Backs Vucic at Election Rally in Novi Sad, Delivers Speech in Serbian

Novi Sad, 16 October (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) supported former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at an election rally in Novi Sad on Friday, delivering his speech in Serbian, TASR reported on the same day, referring to the Danas.rs news website. Vucic and Fico arrived together at the rally organised by the United Serbia coalition, led by Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), in the centre of Novi Sad, with Bosnian Serb political leader Milorad Dodik also present. The former Serbian president, who will run for prime minister in the snap election on 25 October, praised Fico's speech and thanked him for "wanting to be in Novi Sad more than in Brussels". Fico left the European Council meeting in Brussels prematurely in order to travel to Serbia. Addressing a crowd of thousands at Novi Sad's Freedom Square in fluent Serbian, Fico rejected foreign interference in Serbian elections and highlighted the country's economic achievements. According to him, Slovakia will never recognise Kosovo's independence and will fully respect Serbia's sovereignty. At the start of his speech, the Slovak prime minister stressed that he had not come to tell Serbs how to vote. "I haven't come here to lecture you on how to vote, as other foreigners do, as if they know better than you what's good for you," Fico said, adding that the upcoming election is an opportunity when people themselves decide the country's sovereign future. He described Vucic as "a leader with a backbone" who is able to say a clear 'no' to international pressure. In his speech, Fico highlighted Serbia's significant transformation in recent years. According to him, the Serbian economy is currently making significant progress and is stronger than the economies of many other European countries. He urged people to "look around at the newly built roads, hospitals and factories, which are clear evidence of a successful vision for the country". The prime minister also praised the excellent relations and equal rights enjoyed by the Slovak minority living in Vojvodina. He thanked the Serbian public and Vucic for their continued interest in the Slovak community, adding that a new Slovak House would soon open thanks to the Serbian authorities' willingness to cooperate. At the end of his speech, Fico gave assurances regarding Slovakia's unwavering diplomatic stance while also urging people to preserve peace, stability and continuity of progress in these internationally turbulent times. "Slovakia will continue to firmly respect Serbia's sovereignty. As far as Kosovo is concerned, we'll never let you down. You'll always have a dedicated and sincere friend in me. Therefore, my message to you is this: protect peace and stability, maintain progress. The times we live in are far too complicated and difficult for you to gamble on uncertainty," stated Fico. jrg