Pellegrini Meets Sobotka to Discuss Ukraine Aid, AI and Illegal Migrants

Vienna/Bratislava, December 4 (TASR-correspondent) - The cooperation between Slovak and Austrian Parliaments, artificial intelligence, illegal migration and the recovery of Ukraine were the issues discussed at talks held between Slovak House Chair Peter Pellegrini and his Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka in Vienna on Monday, TASR learnt from its correspondent. Pellegrini commented that ties between the two Parliaments are traditionally good, but he could envision a more intense cooperation, for instance, in the sphere of AI, its regulation and legislation. "The EU is only trying to catch up with the swift and explosive pace of the development of modern technologies and, unfortunately, this won't change any time soon, so it's necessary to make an initiative somewhere," he claimed, and warned of risks of AI interfering with people's lives and democratic processes. As for Ukraine, Pellegrini assured Sobotka of Slovakia's continuing support of its eastern neighbor. He pointed out, however, that Slovakia had already depleted all technical options of gifting Ukraine with its own military systems, but the Government hasn't stopped commercial armaments contracts and the humanitarian aid. Pellegrini believes that it's necessary to complete the building of European infrastructure all the way up to Ukrainian border and stated in this context that a small portion of the recovery aid for Ukraine should be used to complete the highway in eastern Slovakia and to expand the capacity of the railway gauge transloading station in Cierna nad Tisou. "If the EU wishes to help Ukraine, it must make sure its infrastructure reaches Ukraine," he said. The head of Austrian Parliament inquired about the state of illegal migration in Slovakia after the Government change. Pellegrini assured him that Slovakia will no longer rely on not being the target destination for migrants, but take active measures to stop the influx. mf