Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) traveled to Brussels on Thursday morning for a meeting of European Union leaders. The European Council summit is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, October 18-19, with key topics including the war in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, migration, competitiveness, and climate change. Given current events, EU leaders may also address specific foreign policy issues, such as the situations in Georgia, Moldova, Venezuela, and Sudan.
During the summit, EU leaders will discuss further military support for Kyiv and review progress on the delivery of air defense systems, ammunition, and missiles. They will also explore the possibility of using proceeds from frozen Russian assets to benefit Ukraine and discuss how to strengthen Ukraine's energy sector and critical infrastructure ahead of the upcoming winter.
Additionally, the leaders will address the latest developments in the Middle East, particularly the recent escalation of violence. They will seek ways to achieve an immediate ceasefire along the Lebanese-Israeli border and in the Gaza Strip, as well as the release of all hostages.
Discussions on migration will evaluate the implementation of a comprehensive approach agreed upon by leaders last February, which focuses on strengthening controls at the Union's external borders, improving return policies, and combating human trafficking and smuggling.
In terms of competitiveness, the summit will prioritize strategies to reduce dependency in strategic sectors, allowing leaders to take stock of the progress made thus far. The discussions will also cover preparations for the upcoming United Nations (UN) Conference on Biodiversity in Cali, Colombia (October 21 - November 1), and the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, in mid-November.
The Prime Minister is expected to return to Slovakia on Friday.
Source: TASR
