Ukrainian PM calls on Slovakia to lift restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural imports

MOSCOW. Jan 24 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal has called on the Slovak government to lift unilateral restrictions on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products at a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

"As to the agricultural sector, I stressed to Mr. Fico that unilateral bans on imports of Ukrainian agricultural goods are neither pragmatic nor useful instrument. Our government has introduced the procedure of verifying and coordinating exports of separate agricultural groups of goods in a number of EU countries, including Slovakia. It is a step forward that Ukraine made. And now we're expecting reciprocal steps. This is why I urged the Slovak government to lift unilateral restrictions on imports," Ukrainian media reported citing Shmygal as saying at a briefing after the meeting with Fico in Uzhgorod on Wednesday.

The parties also discussed cooperation potential in the energy sector and, in particular, agreed to accelerate the reconstruction of the Mukachevo - Velke Kapusany international electric interconnector, the media said.

Shmygal also invited the operator of the Slovak gas transportation system to continue using underground gas storage facilities in Ukraine, the media said.

Commenting on oil issues, Shmygal said that Ukraine received an offer from Slovakia's Slovnaft operator. The details of the offer will be announced later, he said.

Kiev counts on the Slovak government's support as far as the extension of the agreement facilitating road freight transport between Ukraine and the European Union is concerned, he said.

"As to the transport sector, it is really important to prevent scenarios of blocking of the border and checkpoints. We count on the support of Slovakia, Slovak government as to the extension of the transport agreement," Shmygal said.

Fico is interested in the development of railway communication projects between Slovakia and Ukraine, Shmygal said. "We are interested in the development of the infrastructure of the 1520 millimeter track gauge from the station of Uzhgorod to the station of Haniska outside Kosice and the development of transport connection between Kiev and Kosice," Fico said.