EU member criticizes bloc's stance on Ukraine policy
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has put forward a proposal for Brussels to prioritize investments in addressing illegal migration. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has expressed concerns about the EU’s policy priorities, specifically questioning the bloc's financial support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia, while perceiving insufficient measures to combat illegal immigration.
As the EU deliberates its upcoming seven-year budget for 2028-2035, Fico, speaking at a Slovak-Hungarian-Serbian summit on illegal immigration on Tuesday, proposed that Brussels should redirect its investments towards enhancing infrastructure in nations like Libya to prevent individuals from making perilous voyages to Europe.
“It is interesting that when money is needed for the war in Ukraine, there will be tens of billions for murders... Question: Why is it, that while illegal migration is so dangerous for the European Union and Europe, not in a political but essentially, why… can’t we spend enough money to achieve a successful policy of stopping migrants even before the borders?” Fico stated during a press briefing alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Komarno, Slovakia, as reported by RIA Novosti.
Illegal migration continues to pose a significant political challenge for the EU, nearly a decade following the 2015 crisis that saw around 1 million arrivals, predominantly through the Mediterranean.
Fico's remarks coincided with the European Parliament's approval of a €35 billion loan to Ukraine, intended for transfer to Kiev through the end of next year. This loan will be financed through revenues from frozen Russian assets held at the Brussels-based central securities depository Euroclear.
“In Libya, for example, we need to build schools, hospitals, infrastructure, so that people don’t have to leave Libya via the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, for that we also need money,” added Fico.
The 2011 uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's 40-year rule in Libya sparked a civil war and NATO military intervention, resulting in Gaddafi's overthrow and death. From 2014 to 2020, Libya experienced further civil conflict, becoming a major departure point for refugees and migrants seeking to reach Europe.
Fico has consistently criticized the EU’s approach of supplying lethal aid to Ukraine, advocating instead for diplomatic resolutions to the ongoing crisis.
Additionally, Fico recently survived an assassination attempt in May, during which he was shot four times at close range. Slovakia’s Special Criminal Court indicated that the shooter was largely driven by Fico’s government’s decision against sending arms to Ukraine.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
As the EU deliberates its upcoming seven-year budget for 2028-2035, Fico, speaking at a Slovak-Hungarian-Serbian summit on illegal immigration on Tuesday, proposed that Brussels should redirect its investments towards enhancing infrastructure in nations like Libya to prevent individuals from making perilous voyages to Europe.
“It is interesting that when money is needed for the war in Ukraine, there will be tens of billions for murders... Question: Why is it, that while illegal migration is so dangerous for the European Union and Europe, not in a political but essentially, why… can’t we spend enough money to achieve a successful policy of stopping migrants even before the borders?” Fico stated during a press briefing alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Komarno, Slovakia, as reported by RIA Novosti.
Illegal migration continues to pose a significant political challenge for the EU, nearly a decade following the 2015 crisis that saw around 1 million arrivals, predominantly through the Mediterranean.
Fico's remarks coincided with the European Parliament's approval of a €35 billion loan to Ukraine, intended for transfer to Kiev through the end of next year. This loan will be financed through revenues from frozen Russian assets held at the Brussels-based central securities depository Euroclear.
“In Libya, for example, we need to build schools, hospitals, infrastructure, so that people don’t have to leave Libya via the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, for that we also need money,” added Fico.
The 2011 uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's 40-year rule in Libya sparked a civil war and NATO military intervention, resulting in Gaddafi's overthrow and death. From 2014 to 2020, Libya experienced further civil conflict, becoming a major departure point for refugees and migrants seeking to reach Europe.
Fico has consistently criticized the EU’s approach of supplying lethal aid to Ukraine, advocating instead for diplomatic resolutions to the ongoing crisis.
Additionally, Fico recently survived an assassination attempt in May, during which he was shot four times at close range. Slovakia’s Special Criminal Court indicated that the shooter was largely driven by Fico’s government’s decision against sending arms to Ukraine.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
