Ukraine and Slovakia have reached agreements in agriculture, energy and transport
The Prime Ministers of Ukraine and Slovakia discussed issues of economic, energy, transport and agricultural cooperation. This was announced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal following a meeting with his counterpart, Prime Minister Robert Fico, which took place in Uzhhorod on 24 January 2024.
Denys Shmyhal noted that the two countries have significant potential for cooperation in the energy sector. The parties agreed to speed up the reconstruction of the Mukachevo - Veľké Kapušany interconnector, thereby increasing sustainability of the Ukrainian energy system.
In the gas sector, Slovakia is one of Ukraine's main partners. Thus, thanks to the Slovak-Ukrainian reverse gas pipeline Vojany-Uzhhorod, in 2023, Ukraine received 1.8 billion cubic metres of European gas.
We express readiness to develop this cooperation. We offer the Slovak gas transmission network operator to continue using underground gas storage facilities in Ukraine to store Slovakia's strategic gas reserves," said Denys Shmyhal.
Moreover, the Head of Ukrainian Government said that Ukraine had received a proposal from the Slovak operator Slovnaft to develop cooperation in the oil sector. Details of this important decision for Ukraine, Slovakia and Europe as a whole will be announced later.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine noted that our country was interested in implementing projects to build a nuclear fuel production line.
The two heads of government also discussed cooperation in the agricultural sector. Denys Shmyhal stressed that unilateral bans on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products were an unpragmatic and unnecessary tool. He reminded that the Government had introduced a procedure for verification and approval of exports of certain agricultural commodities to a number of EU member states, including Slovakia.
"This is a step foward that Ukraine has made for our European neighbours. Now we expect reciprocal steps. Therefore, I called on the Slovak Government to lift unilateral import restrictions. It is obvious and proven that Ukrainian farmers are not a threat to the Slovak market," said Denys Shmyhal.
In addition, the Prime Minister of Ukraine stressed the importance of avoiding scenarios of blocking the border and checkpoints. According to Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine counts on Slovakia's support in continuing the "transport visa-free regime".
In turn, the Prime Minister of Slovakia stressed that he was interested in the development of railway projects between the two countries. In particular, it is important to develop the infrastructure of the 1520 mm European standard gauge from Uzhhorod station to Haniska pri Košiciach station.