Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with Slovak Republic Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajcak, where the parties discussed energy sector issues, Ukraine's European integration, and the situation in Donbas.
The press service of the Ukrainian state reported that the interlocutors exchanged views on important issues of bilateral relations and the international agenda. In particular, they talked over the security situation and the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
With this regard Poroshenko emphasized the importance of international unity and solidarity with Ukraine as to the need to fully implement the Minsk agreements, as well as to extend sanctions against Russia, as a result of a failure to comply with these commitments.
The president also shared his impressions of the visit to Berlin and talks with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. "I am very pleased that in these very difficult circumstances, the leaders of the European Union find time and make efforts to keep Ukraine among the top priorities on the European agenda," Poroshenko said.
He thanked Slovakia for its support to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the provision of humanitarian aid in the amount of EUR 2.9 million.
The parties also paid special attention to energy security issues. The Ukrainian president thanked the Slovakian leadership for the increase of reverse gas supplies to Ukraine. "We spent the first winter without Russian gas. We have reduced consumption by 21% if compared to the last year. We are introducing energy diversification and energy independence," Poroshenko said.
Ukraine's president and Slovakian Foreign Minister also noted infeasibility of the Nord Stream 2 project implementation.
Besides, special attention was paid to the bilateral cooperation algorithm regarding Ukraine's European integration in the context of the Czech Presidency in the EU in the second half of 2016.
What is more, the interlocutors noted the importance to open joint checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Slovak border that would facilitate the border check procedures for citizens.
Besides, the Slovak foreign minister expressed support for Ukrainian visa-free regime with the EU. Lajcak also said his country was ready to share experience and help Ukraine on its way to European transformation.
