As early as 2022, Slovakia made a commitment within the framework of the relevant decision of the EU Council to reject invitations to any political events on the territory of Russia and must adhere to it, reports "European Truth'.
This was announced by the spokesperson for the European Commission Anita Hiper during a briefing on April 16 in Brussels in response to the critical statement of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico that "no one can tell him" whether to go to Moscow or not.
Hyper emphasizes that as early as 2022 EU countries have agreed to reject all invitations from Russia to events such as the May 9 parade, including Slovakia.
"Russia is using the commemoration of the end of World War II to justify its aggressive war against Ukraine... It is important for us not to give this legitimacy by participating in events such as this parade. And in fact, we have a Council decision on this issue: member states, including Slovakia, agreed in 2022 to reject such invitations“, the EC spokesman stressed.
Another European Commission spokesman, Guillaume Mercier, who is responsible for EU enlargement, answered a clarifying question about a possible visit to Moscow by the head of state candidate for EU membership, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
"Serbia has applied and is negotiating EU membership. Serbia's decision means that the country wants to join the EU, including on foreign policy issues. So the EU wants to see Serbia as a reliable European partner that shares common principles, values, security and prosperity, and we need Serbia to assure us of this strategic position,“ he said.
The media recall that yesterday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico addressed the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kai Kallas in absentia, declaring that “““no one can tell me where I should or should not go“.
The Prime Minister of Slovakia once again confirmed that he will be in Moscow on May 9.
The European Union's top diplomat Kai Kallas on April 14 called on European leaders not to participate in the military celebrations in Moscow on May 9 and instead to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine.
The European Union also gave clear instructions to EU candidate countries not to attend the parade in Moscow on May 9 and not to visit Russia.