SLOVAKIA'S PREMIER RETURNS TO WORK AFTER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

BRATISLAVA, July 10 (Bernama-dpa) -- Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has resumed work almost two months after a failed attempt on his life, reported German news agency (dpa).

The left-wing populist, Fico, took part in a Cabinet meeting in Bratislava on Tuesday.

According to a statement, the 59-year-old said he was slowly returning to his working pace, and hoped he would soon be able to fully fulfil his role again.

Fico had already visited a farm on Monday to inspect the harvest, supporting himself with a crutch during the visit.

On his Facebook page, Fico sarcastically addressed the "progressive and liberal media" and the opposition, posting: "Sorry I survived, but I'm back."

The TASR agency reported that Fico also spoke on the phone with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. He reportedly offered to accept and treat paediatric cancer patients from Ukraine in Slovakia, following the recent Russian attack on a paediatric hospital in Kyiv.

Another topic was the holding of a joint government meeting between the two neighbouring states, which is due to take place at the beginning of autumn.

Fico was critically wounded on May 15 when he was shot several times as he greeted waiting supporters after a Cabinet meeting in the small town of Handlova.

The attacker, who was arrested immediately after the attack, is in custody. The 71-year-old justified his offence with hatred of Fico and his left-wing nationalist coalition.

The government's controversial decisions recently included the dissolution of the public radio and television broadcaster RTVS and its re-establishment as STVR. 

-- BERNAMA-dpa