The Ukrainian issue is of priority in the work of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák said.
“Ways for peaceful settlement of a situation in Donbas, issues pertaining to Crimea and the Sea of Azov are and will be priorities for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE),” the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine quoted Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák following a meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman.
According to Lajčák, the security of Ukraine is an essential component of the security architecture of the whole Europe.
“I’m glad to visit Ukraine. This is also important for our bilateral relations, and in the context of our OSCE chairmanship. The question of Ukraine is a priority,” the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia said.
In turn, Groysman stressed that the situation in Ukraine today cannot be considered as a separate issue. It can be viewed as an issue of pan-European importance. “It is necessary to raise questions not only Donbas and Crimea issues, but also a question of the Sea of Azov. Everything that happens there should receive an appropriate international response. This is a creeping occupation of the Sea of Azov and there should be an adequate world response,” the PM added.
During the talks, the parties also touched upon cooperation in different fields, in particular in the economic sphere.
Slovakia is among the top 20 European trade partners. Energy projects are of great interest to both countries, because energy security was and is a strategic priority for Ukraine as well. Equally important is cooperation in the field of logistics and transit of goods, in the development of mining industry, energy efficiency, support of small and medium-sized businesses as well as in the development of regional cooperation, the message reads.
As reported, Slovakia started its one-year chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on January 1, 2019.
