Prime Minister Robert Fico will leave for an official visit to Argentina, Brazil and Chile on Monday night. He will be accompanied by Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek, Interior Minister Robert Kalinak, the Foreign Ministry's State Secretary Olga Algayerova, four businessmen, representatives of two public media and the state press agency. Mr. Fico's stay in the South America will last from April 10 to 15.
In the South America the Prime Minister wants to implement the economic dimension of foreign policy, asserted by the current government. His talks with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio, and Argentinean President Nestor Kirchner will chiefly be aimed at development of bilateral economic cooperation. They should also discuss the current issues of the South-American integration, cooperation between the European Union (EU), Chile and the economic association of South-American countries, covering Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Columbia and Peru are associate members.
Mr. Fico originally wanted to visit also Venezuela; however, he decided not to meet controversial Hugo Chavez after his intention was heavily criticized by media and the opposition. Neither foreign Minister Jan Kubis recommended Mr. Fico to visit Venezuela.
StoryEditor