Following a meeting in Uzhhorod between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the parties signed a joint statement aimed at strengthening bilateral relations “on the basis of mutual trust and respect,” according to Ukraine’s government website.
The statement notes Slovakia’s firm and consistent support for Ukraine’s European integration.
Slovakia expresses support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “peace formula” and emphasises the importance of Slovakia’s participation in Ukraine’s recovery and the appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery, Resilience and Knowledge Economy Plan of the Slovak Republic.
In addition, the statement reaffirms the importance of Slovakia’s participation in humanitarian demining in Ukraine and notes the importance of joint efforts to ensure global food security and increase transit potential for Ukrainian agricultural exports.
The Prime Ministers of Ukraine and Slovakia stressed the importance of developing military-technical cooperation between the countries on a commercial basis.
They also confirmed their readiness for further cooperation aimed at respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
After the meeting, Denys Shmyhal said that the Slovak government would not block Ukraine’s purchase of weapons and equipment from Slovak businesses and would support the Ukraine Facility programme, which provides for the allocation of €50 billion from the EU to Ukraine.
Earlier, before the meeting with Denys Shmyhal in Uzhhorod, Robert Fico had made scandalous pro-Russian statements. In particular, the Slovak prime minister suggested that Ukraine would have to give up part of its territory to Russia.
Source: The Gaze
