Estok: Integration of Carpathian Region Opportunity for Slovakia

Kiev, 18 September (TASR) - The integration of the Carpathian region presents an opportunity for Slovakia, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Marek Estok, who led the Slovak delegation at the summit of the newly formed Carpathian Eight (C8) in Ukraine, posted on X on Friday. "Slovakia is a key country at the heart of this region," said Estok, adding that the country is strengthening cooperation with the other seven members of the C8, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Slovakia's priority within the initiative, the launch of which was officially announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, is the development of Slovak regions and benefits for Slovak businesses and citizens, said the state secretary. In addition to deepening regional cooperation in a number of areas, including security and the economy, the Carpathian Eight will also address the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine, as Zelenskyy stated in early August. "The reconstruction of Ukraine will present an opportunity for neighbouring countries and their regions, and we want to make the most of it for the benefit of Slovakia," emphasised Estok, pointing out that Slovakia is already cooperating with Ukraine through joint intergovernmental talks and, as the country holding the presidency of the Visegrad Group (V4: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia), is actively supporting cross-border projects and the interconnection of transport and energy infrastructure. Prime Minister Robert Fico was originally due to represent Slovakia at the Carpathian Eight summit, which runs until Sunday. However, according to Ukrainian media, he cancelled the planned trip due to illness. The Slovak Government Office confirmed for TASR that State Secretary Estok is representing him in Ukraine. am/df