Exclusive Interview with Slovak PM Robert Fico

Editor's Note: In the last decade, Slovakia has been keen to build closer bilateral and economic ties with China, its biggest trading partner outside the EU. And very recently, Slovakia was one of the five EU countries to oppose anti-subsidy tariffs on China-made electric vehicle imports. With bilateral relations being elevated to a strategic partnership, how will Slovakia's "turn to the East" strategy benefit all-out bilateral relations going forward? In this edition of Leaders Talk, CMG's Zou Yun sits down with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, an important event he attended during his official visit to China from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5, to discuss China-Slovakia relations, China-Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries cooperation and China-EU relations, as well as peace and stability in the broader European region, including Slovakia's stance on the Ukraine crisis. Fico calls this trip the "visit of the year for 2024" as his delegation includes the largest-ever business groups to boost trade ties and increase investment. Fico goes into rhapsodies about Chinese lithium battery manufacturer Gotion's project in Slovakia. "It might seem like a small investment, but for Slovakia, it's a €1.4 billion investment that will create 1,300 new jobs," he says.