BRATISLAVA, June 17, (WEBNOVINY) – A gas crisis similar to the one that hit Europe in January 2009 should no longer repeat. Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic and his guest, Ukrainian head of state Viktor Yanukovych who is paying a brief visit to Slovakia on Friday opened these issues. “It pleased me much when the president gave me assurances that they [Ukraine] will be a reliable partner in the area of gas and crude-oil transit via the territory of Ukraine,“ stated Gasparovic during their meeting. Yanukovych added that they have agreed to create a group of experts who will cooperate in gas and crude-oil issues.
During the visit of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to Slovakia on Friday Slovakia and Ukraine have signed an agreement on a change to the local border traffic agreement, another positive step in mutual cooperation. „Citizens of both countries living close to the borders will now be able to get their small border traffic permit free of charge,“ announced Yanukovych.
Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic commented that Slovakia supports Ukraine and wants to help it. “It is eight months since I last visited Ukraine. Being able to welcome the president of Ukraine after such a short time proves that we are greatly interested in cooperation,” Gasparovic commented. The partners discussed further cooperation within the Eastern Partnership, as well as energy security. “Slovakia will continue in building its nuclear energy sector, but increase protection in operation and security of these power plants,” the Slovak president underscored. He added that mutual trade is returning to the pre-crisis levels.
In addition to the local cross-border traffic agreement, Slovak and Ukrainian representatives signed bilateral agreements on military graves and on cooperation between regions on both sides of the border.
SITA