Slovakia respects Serbia's territorial integrity and will never betray it on the issue of Kosovo, Prime Minister Robert Fico declared on Thursday in Belgrade, where he met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

Fico announced that Slovak soldiers will also take part in NATO's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR), the correspondent of TASR informed.

Fico emphasized that they want to build the cooperation of the two countries on mutual support and trust.

"We can count on each other"

he stated.

Vučić "one of the most important and significant leaders in the world" . He said that they discussed strategic issues, bilateral relations, and improving economic cooperation.

According to Fico, the meeting in Belgrade confirmed

that both advocate "an independent and sovereign policy based on international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states".

He considers it a mistake that they don't meet more often.

Fico highlighted Serbia's economic development and "excellent results", saying what some Western states would not give for this.

Slovakia also fully supports Serbia's EU accession negotiations. As he said, it is up to Serbia which path it chooses, and he offered to share the experience of accession. At the same time, he noted that Slovakia made "tragic mistakes" He jokingly noted that he would be happy to share those mistakes if Serbia wanted them.

"The European Union - I am not exaggerating - could kiss Serbia's hand for the cooperation it has shown together with Hungary in order to protect the Schengen border"

Fico answered the question about illegal migration.

He added that there had been a dramatic change in this migration route and in the number of illegal border crossings. "The current numbers are completely negligible compared to what we had to face before," he stated, adding that Serbia deserves the EU's support in this area, "because all of this is an extremely expensive and serious task." He added that Belgrade's role in the management of the Western Balkan migration route is irreplaceable.

The Slovak minority in Serbia was also discussed. Fico stated that the Slovaks there love Serbia, but at the same time they try to preserve their traditions.

Part of the discussion was the development of cooperation between Belgrade and Kassa and Bratislava.

Fico opened the economic forum in Belgrade with the participation of Slovak entrepreneurs, and the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) signed a memorandum with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

The Slovak delegation, led by the Prime Minister, laid a wreath at the grave of the unknown soldier on the Avala hill near Belgrade.

Featured image: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico during his meeting with his Serbian counterpart Milos Vucevic at the Prime Minister's Office in Belgrade on November 21, 2024. MTI/EPA/Andrej Cukic