Slovak PM calls visit to China most important

Robert Fico, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, described his early November visit to China as the most important visit of 2024 during an interview with China Media Group (CMG).

Fico paid an official visit to China from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Nov. 1, the two countries agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

When explaining why he placed such significant importance on his visit to China, Fico shared his views on China's influence on global affairs.

"Thank you for the interview! I want to say that not only in Slovakia, but in the entire European Union, we have underestimated certain things. We have underestimated not only China's influence on world peace but also its impact on the global economy. This is why I believe it is very appropriate to call this visit 'the most important visit of 2024'," he said.

Fico previously served as Slovakia's prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2018.

He was reappointed to the position in October 2023.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Slovakia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent messages of condolence to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev over the casualties in the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane.

Xi said that he was shocked to learn that a passenger plane of Azerbaijan Airlines crashed, causing casualties.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi deeply mourned the victims. Also in the messages, he offered sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.