Slovakia unconditionally supports Ukraine's accession to the EU, and it won't put any obstacles in the way of its integration process, said Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) before the start of a joint session of the Ukrainian and Slovak governments near the Ukrainian town of Uzhhorod on Monday.
"We know how useful it will be not only for us, but also for you if we have another EU-member state as a neighbour. We also need to have you there because sometimes countries with a different history, a different language have to come together in the EU to create a counterbalance to proposals that are not always beneficial for the whole Union," said Fico, warning that there will be countries in the EU that will "check in all sorts of ways to make sure that the process of Ukraine's accession isn't too fast". According to Fico, Slovakia offers Ukraine specific expertise and an exchange of experiences from the integration process.
At the same time, Slovakia will participate in all peace conferences aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia, claimed Fico. According to the premier, peace for Ukraine must be quality, fair and sustainable. Ukraine must have security guarantees, and its sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. "There is probably no military solution here that would satisfy one side or the other," he said. The joint meeting will also touch on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace plan, according to Ukrainian Premier Denys Shmyhal.
Fico noted that the development of near-border regions has had positive effects on both sides of the Slovak-Ukrainian border and is key to the overall development of relations between the two countries. "We can see the reconstruction and renewal of Ukraine in this spirit," he noted. According to Fico, Slovakia is very interested in participating in the country's reconstruction.
According to the Slovak premier, the government is also preparing another humanitarian aid package and a 14th military aid package for Ukraine focusing on non-lethal assistance. Emergency electricity supplies will also continue. Fico plans to go to the next EU summit with the aim of proposing a systemic solution to the issue of energy aid. "This needs to be transferred to the EU level so that it isn't just the responsibility of Slovakia and Ukraine. We have a single energy market, and we need it to work in relation to Ukraine as well," he remarked.
Fico also told his Ukrainian counterpart that he'll always be welcome anywhere in Slovakia.
