Slovakia will support the development of infrastructure in Ukraine

Cooperation between Ukraine and Slovakia in the transport industry and the modernization of infrastructure is developing quite positively, and has great potential. This was stated by Deputy Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Kornienko at a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of Slovak Republic Jan Figel. Participants focused on cooperation in railway transport, in particular, the term implementation of multimodal transportation, construction project of railway track 1520 mm Kosice - Bratislava - Vienna; cooperation in air transport, the development of checkpoints on the Slovak-Ukrainian border. In addition, the sides noted the positive dynamics of development of Ukrainian-Slovak relations, in particular in the transport of goods by rail. Thus, in 2010 the volume of freight by rail between the two countries grew by 4.5%. Ukraine and Slovakia have expressed active interest in the further implementation of the project to build the railway gauge 1520 mm Kosice - Bratislava - Vienna. This project will promote and increase the efficiency of transport links between Ukraine and Europe, reducing the cost of transportation of goods by the absence of transfer operations at border stations. In addition, during the meeting failed to reach agreement to harmonize the tariff policy on rail transport and to agree on several important issues regarding the operation of checkpoints on the borders of both countries, given the gradual increase in traffic in the future. Previously reported that Ukraine is interested in the consultation of experts on the Slovak pension reform, changes in labor laws, streamlining social benefits system, solving the problem of migrant workers. In addition, countries agreed to establish a Slovak side of the expert group comprising representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Finance, National Bank and non-governmental organizations that will be ready shortly to visit Ukraine and the Ukrainian side to provide expert advice. Ministry of Industry