The Ukrainian delegation successfully concluded intergovernmental consultations with representatives of the Slovak government in the city of Košice. This was reported by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, emphasizing that the negotiations took place on October 17 and covered issues of energy security, defense, infrastructure, education, and sanctions policy. In addition, the parties held sectoral meetings at the ministerial level.
This is reported by Finway
Four New Agreements Between Ukraine and Slovakia
As a result of the consultations, four important documents were signed:
- an agreement on cooperation in the field of labor migration;
- an agreement on financial and technical assistance;
- a protocol on border crossing points, which provides for the opening of a pedestrian and bicycle crossing “Uzhhorod – Vyshne Nemecke” by the end of the current year, as well as an increase in the cargo capacity of the border crossing point “Maly Berezny – Ubľa” to 5 tons;
- an agreement on the placement of diplomatic representations.
Svyrydenko emphasized that Slovakia will support the protection of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and facilitate the implementation of projects to create shelters in schools in frontline regions. Additionally, the Prime Minister noted the opening of the first bilingual Ukrainian school in Bratislava in 2026, which will be an important step in preserving the national identity of Ukrainian children forced to leave Ukraine due to the war.
“A particularly important decision is that in 2026, the first bilingual Ukrainian school will open in Bratislava. This will allow our children, who have been forced to leave due to the war, to study in a Ukrainian environment and maintain a connection with their homeland,” she wrote on her social media.
Plans for Sanctions and New Assistance from Slovakia
During the consultations, Svyrydenko and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also discussed the coordination of actions regarding the upcoming 19th package of sanctions against Russia. Fico supported the initiative to create a Ukrainian school, emphasizing Slovakia’s acute need for 150,000 qualified workers. In his opinion, cooperation in the field of labor migration has prospects due to the similarities between the languages of the two countries.
Furthermore, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha reported on agreements with his Slovak counterpart Juraj Blanár regarding the transfer of a new package of energy equipment to Ukraine worth 500,000 euros, as well as an allocation of an additional 300,000 euros for the construction of shelters in schools in frontline regions. The Ukrainian side also plans to open a consulate general in Prešov to strengthen diplomatic presence.