Ukraine and Slovakia agree on new joint projects in education, energy, transport and border infrastructure

Joint consultations between the governments of Ukraine and the Slovak Republic took place in Lviv, with the participation of Prime Minister of Ukraine Sergii Koretskyi and Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico. At the end of the meeting, the two sides signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation.

"It sets out all of today's practical agreements and planned projects as a clear action plan for our teams," Sergii Koretskyi said.

The sides also signed an intergovernmental Agreement on establishing a bilingual Ukrainian-English gymnasium in Slovakia and a similar Slovak-English gymnasium in Ukraine. Both schools are expected to open as early as next school year.

"Staying connected with Ukrainians, especially children who are abroad because of the war, is extremely important to us. It is vital to preserve Ukrainian identity and the native language," the Head of Government of Ukraine stressed.

Slovakia has announced its decision to hand over three electric locomotives to Ukrzaliznytsia. They are expected to be running on European-gauge track in Zakarpattia by the end of the year.

"Slovakia's experience on its path to the EU is useful and important for us. The talks covered opening the remaining two negotiating clusters for Ukraine and launching an EU Macro-Regional Strategy for the Carpathian Region," Sergii Koretskyi said.

Cooperation under the EU's SAFE instrument received particular attention. The sides plan to sign a Framework Agreement on Financial Cooperation, which will launch energy recovery projects worth more than EUR 100 million under the Ukraine Investment Framework.

Ukraine and Slovakia are also working on an electronic queue and joint checks at the border. The sides plan to expand the capacity of border crossings for passengers and freight.

Slovakia has provided an EUR 500,000 energy assistance package, which will deliver 54 generators to Ukraine by the end of the month.

Slovakia is also directing:

• EUR 300,000 to the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition as its second contribution;

• EUR 200,000 to medical equipment for Ukrainian hospitals.

In addition, Slovakia has decided to become a full member of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine thanked Robert Fico and the Slovak delegation for visiting Lviv and for a pragmatic, productive dialogue in the spirit of good neighborliness.

"The Ukrainian-Slovak partnership is dynamic and mutually beneficial for both our nations," Sergii Koretskyi concluded.