Ukraine is a great 45-million country that has many things to be developed both in political and economic spheres, and especially in cultural field. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during a meeting with representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora living in Slovakia.

Today nearly 8 thousand ethnic Ukrainians - immigrants from Central and Western Ukraine are living in Slovakia. The most numerous and representative organization of foreign Ukrainians is the  Union of Rusyn-Ukrainians of the Slovak Republic. Moreover, the Union of Ukrainian Writers in Slovakia is established, there are 7 secondary schools studying the Ukrainian language and literature, including the Joint School-Gymnasium named after Taras Shevchenko in Prešov city, there exists several folk ensembles, Ukrainian language newspapaers are being published and own radio station is working as well.

Volodymyr Groysman informed about the results of talks with  Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini and underlined that the sides had agreed to provide premises for the Ukrainian cultural center, as well as to erect a monument to Taras Shevchenko in the center of Bratislava.

"We have a special support program for Ukrainians living abroad with total funding of  UAH 100 million. We are a great country, and we have many things that we have to develop  both in the field of politics, economy and culture. For me it's not empty words ", Volodymyr Groysman stressed.

According to the Head of Government, culture and identity "must be preserved" and we have to follow the example of representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora of Slovakia, majority of whom are children and grandchildren of Ukrainians who left their homeland decades ago.

"I bow my head to those who have preserved  language and culture being far from their homeland. I especially respect children born in a foreign country, but who are culture and language bearers", Volodymyr Groysman stressed.

The Prime Minister added that Ukrainian diaspora in the world reaches 65 million people. Active and united position of Ukrainians abroad, their diplomacy can not only help Ukraine, but be  more effective instrument than traditional diplomacy.