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Košice – Representatives of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments signed several intergovernmental agreements. They did so after a joint meeting of both cabinets, which took place in Košice on Friday. During the discussions, EU sanctions against Russia were also addressed, TASR reports.
The prime ministers of both countries Robert Fico and Yulia Svyrydenko signed an agreement on cooperation and information exchange in the field of labor mobility, as well as a joint roadmap concerning joint projects. Ministers from both governments also signed an intergovernmental agreement on technical and financial cooperation, as well as a protocol on amending the intergovernmental agreement on border crossings at common state borders and an agreement on the mutual transfer of real estate intended for diplomatic representation purposes.
“The word peace must be the key word of Slovak politics.” Robert Fico
Friday’s meeting with the Ukrainian government was significant according to Robert Fico (Smer-SD). He emphasized that the word peace must be the key word of Slovak politics. Slovakia’s effort to focus on humanitarian and practical assistance in the case of the war in Ukraine was, in his view, the right path. “Now I speak for the government of the Slovak Republic and I must confirm that peace is the key word of our efforts,” he noted. For Slovakia, it is important to have a stable neighbor who is ready to jointly address many challenges, and Ukraine needs a neighbor with the same qualities.
Fico discussed with the Ukrainian prime minister the EU sanction packages for Russia, Slovakia’s negative stance on Ukraine’s NATO membership, and support for Ukraine’s EU membership.
“I warned the prime minister, she may be surprised that those who today speak positively about Ukraine will be the ones who will most hinder Ukraine’s EU membership. Slovakia will not be that, if we say no, we say no sincerely, if we say yes, we say yes sincerely,” Fico stated. The prime ministers also exchanged views on gas transit.
The prime ministers agreed at the joint meeting to build a Ukrainian school in Slovakia. Fico also pointed out that Slovakia needs 150,000 qualified workers. “This is also an area where we can, given the closeness of our languages, agree very quickly,” he noted.
The Ukrainian prime minister appreciated the sincerity, constructiveness, and solidarity that she perceives from the Slovak side. She expressed pleasure at the progress in joint projects, which was also reflected in the signed agreements. She thanked Slovakia for its support in Ukraine’s integration efforts and confirmed that the preservation of national identity was also a topic of discussion. “It is a topic that requires special attention,” Svyrydenko agreed. She appreciated the Slovak side’s willingness to open a Ukrainian school in Slovakia and also believes that Slovak companies will play a significant role in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Svyrydenko and the Slovak prime minister also discussed the topic of strengthening anti-Russian sanctions. “I showed with numbers that these sanction pressures work and how they affect the economy,” she stated. She expressed confidence that consultations in the format of intergovernmental meetings also demonstrated their effectiveness and pragmatic side on Friday.
The Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic accepted the invitation from Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko for further talks in Ukraine. The time and place will be agreed upon later. (October 17)