EU shouldn’t be hypocritical towards Russia, says Prime Minister

The recent drawing up of a blacklist by Russia of 89 figures from the European Union who are banned from entering Russia is nothing unusual in diplomatic practice, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on TA3's talk show 'V Politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, stating that the EU shouldn't behave hypocritically by criticising the list. "When anyone is talking about a blacklist - and I'm not an advocate of Russia or anybody else - I think of another blacklist: containing the names of Russian politicians who can't travel to the EU. If we ban somebody to travel to Europe, then we shouldn't be surprised if Russia composes its own blacklist. I don't see any prime minister or other officials on the list; it's a standard diplomatic practice", said Fico. When asked about his visit to Moscow a few days ago, which was heavily criticised mainly due to its timing, Fico said that it had been planned long ago. Any reasonable person must admit that such a visit has to be planned for months, said Fico. "I don't see any reason to put any question marks. We're most of all concerned about developments of mutual trade. The whole trip was in an economic spirit, because Russia is an important trade partner for Slovakia", said the prime minister. "Other EU leaders also visit Russia, and I don't see any reason why I should be afraid to travel anywhere. If anyone thinks that I'll be told off in Europe for the trip, they're wrong. If it's deemed necessary for Slovakia, then I'll also travel to Cambodia", said Fico. Concerning the documentary film 'Warsaw Pact - Pages Declassified' aired recently by Russia's state television depicting the Warsaw Pact's invasion of then Czechoslovakia in 1968 in the spirit as it was advocated by the Soviet Union at the time, Fico said that he consulted the issue with Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák, whose ministry issued a protest to Russia on behalf of the entire Government. "I keep repeating that the revival process in 1968 was halted [by the invasion]. It was a huge mistake, I'll never agree with it. But I don't go against the stream in the name of an ideological battle when the economy is at stake", said Fico.