Government to Discuss Abolishment of Diplomatic Visa Requirements with India

Bratislava, 22 October (TASR) - At its session on Wednesday, the government is expected to discuss the draft intergovernmental agreement between the Slovak Republic and the Republic of India on abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports, as well as to review the reports on the outcomes of Prime Minister Robert Fico's visits to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in June this year. The government should also deal with the draft amendment to the Act on budgetary rules of local self-government submitted by MPs Jan Ferencak and Stefan Gasparovic (both Voice-SD), allowing the municipalities and self-governing regions to use resources from reserve funds to cover their current expenses by the end of 2026. Furthermore, ministers will also discuss a proposal concerning the authorisation of negotiators and signatories of higher-level collective agreement in the civil service. The agenda also includes a proposal to amend the government regulation on certain measures in the area of social services during a state of emergency, crisis situation, or exceptional situation declared in connection with the mass influx of foreigners to the territory of the Slovak Republic caused by the armed conflict in Ukraine. According to this amendment, municipalities and non-public providers of social services will be able to submit an application for a financial contribution for 2026 within an additional period ending 31 December 2025. This is intended to enable the provision of social services in newly established social service facilities with financial support from public funds. jrg