BRATISLAVA, August 27, (WEBNOVINY) – Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda visited the Zakarpattia Oblast province in Ukraine Friday and agreed upon the reduction of the bureaucratic burden related to the visa regime between Slovakia and its eastern neighbor. Dzurinda met with Zakarpattia governor Oleksandr Ledyda and representatives of the Slovak minority living in the province and discussed support for the regional cooperation between the Oblast, the eastern Slovak region, and the Slovak minority. He also dealt with some practical problems linked to borders and visas. The aim is less red tape and more flexibility, Dzurinda stated. He avoided talking about complete visa waiver, and he did not mention any dates or real plans for the near future. The visa cancellation is the light at the end of the tunnel, according Dzurinda, but this aim will be achieved via a long-term plan. Dzurinda noted that Slovakia can contribute to the Ukraine’s faster EU integration.
Dzurinda would like to extend the 50-km small cross border movement zones in both states in cooperation with the Interior Ministry. He praised the Slovak community living in the Ukraine and pointed out that these people have managed to maintain their national identity and are simultaneously loyal to the country where they live. The minister also devoted attention to integration ambitions of our neighbor. The Ukraine will have to carry out far-reaching reforms, he added.
Dzurinda definitely plans an official visit to Kiev; he just used the opportunity presented on Friday because the Cabinet session was held in the eastern Slovak town of Kosice. The minister will meet his Ukrainian counterpart Konstantin Grishenko at a two-day international conference in Kosice and Uzhgorod which will be held in October. Dzurinda wants to head to Kiev a few weeks after President Ivan Gasparovic, who is scheduled for an official visit to the Ukrainian capital in October.
SITA