Media reports Slovak Premier in first government conference since murder attempt

2024-07-11 07:12:16

(MENAFN) Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia has resumed active participation in government affairs, marking his first in-person cabinet meeting since surviving an assassination attempt in May, according to reports from the local TASR news agency. The meeting reportedly centered on discussions regarding an European Union-backed reform agenda and strategies for utilizing funds allocated by Brussels.

Official statements from Bratislava regarding Fico's return to the cabinet have not been issued. The 59-year-old prime minister, who was critically injured when a gunman fired four shots at him at close range, resumed his duties remotely in early June during his recovery period.

Fico made his first public appearance since the incident during a recent commemoration event honoring the arrival of ninth-century Byzantine missionaries Cyril and Methodius to Slovakia, a significant national holiday. During this event, he also expressed admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's diplomatic efforts, which included unexpected visits to Kiev and Moscow to discuss potential resolutions to the Ukraine conflict. Orban's actions were met with criticism from Brussels and some European Union member states, but Fico praised Orban's initiative and indicated his own willingness to engage similarly, contingent upon his health.

Known for his vocal criticisms of the European Union's stance on Ukraine, Fico has previously accused Slovakia's former ruling parties (2020-2023) of conforming to directives from larger Western democracies. He specifically criticized their policies of viewing Russia and China as adversaries and alleged they depleted Slovak military resources by supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Fico's return to the forefront of Slovak politics signals a renewed focus on both domestic governance issues and international relations, particularly within the context of European Union policies and regional diplomacy concerning the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

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