PS: Premier Fico's Russia Visit: International Disgrace

Bratislava, December 23 (TASR) - The only thing that Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has achieved on his trip to Russia is international disgrace and a loss of Slovakia's credibility in the eyes of foreign partners, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party Michal Simecka stated at a press conference on Monday, adding that Fico has served Russian President Vladimir Putin as a propaganda tool. "Let's remember this moment, that Robert Fico left Slovakia in its most difficult times. Instead of resolving the problems of the people in Slovakia, he is serving foreign dictators and this is how history will remember him," the PS leader noted. Simecka criticised that Slovakia learnt about Fico's visit to Moscow through Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and a Kremlin spokesperson. Simecka assumes that Fico's trip wasn't known to coalition MPs and leaders, and possibly not even to President Peter Pellegrini. "The premier has no mandate for such a fundamental change of foreign policy course. Neither from Parliament, nor from the government's programme statement, and certainly not from the voters," the PS leader stated. Simecka argued that Fico didn't negotiate anything in Moscow, especially regarding the transit of natural gas from Russia, which was a matter that should have involved Ukraine in the discussions. Former foreign minister and PS chair Ivan Korcok added that Fico has burnt bridges with Western countries. Simecka stated that Progressive Slovakia may proceed to convene a special session of Parliament to vote on a no-confidence motion in the government. lin/mcs