H.E. Mr. Igor Pokojný:

I thank the Chair and members of the joint committee. I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs the Slovak Republic's response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This unjustified Russian military aggression on Ukraine is a clear violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and of international law. It is an extremely difficult time for Ukraine as well as for all of Europe, especially in these days when the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia eight years ago was marked on 18 March. Ukraine needs universal political support, including the possibility of EU membership as well as financial and humanitarian aid from the international community. Slovakia has repeatedly proven by its deeds that it stands with Ukraine. Slovakia strongly supports the prospect of Ukraine's possible EU membership.

With partners from Europe and beyond the Atlantic, it was agreed that it is necessary to isolate Russia further to end Putin's military aggression and return peace to the European Continent. The Russian Federation and Belarus will bear responsibility for this unprecedented violation of international law.

Slovakia is ready to support anything that will make the Russian and Belarusian regimes change their behaviour and end the invasion of Ukraine.

As a clear situation of immediate and serious humanitarian urgency has emerged in Ukraine, Slovak authorities make extensive use of the option provided by Article 6 of the Schengen borders code and allow for the entry into Slovak territory of persons who do not otherwise fulfil the usual entry requirements, such as being in possession of visas. Documents allowing for the identification of the travellers are being accepted even if they are expired or damaged. Information about the options available to persons incoming from Ukraine is available and frequently updated at ua.gov.sk.

Slovakia, as a neighbouring country with Ukraine, has opened its border and has so far received more than 270,000 refugees, mostly women and children. It is estimated that an average of up to 10,000 refugees are entering Slovakia each day. Since Slovakia is a small country of 5 million people and its border with Ukraine is only 100 km long, measures are being deployed to handle this large influx of people fleeing war. Since not only nationals of Ukraine are fleeing war, Slovakia, alongside other relevant countries, has thus far organised 15 repatriation flights to India, China, Egypt and Morocco with more than 2,000 refugees on board. Thirty-four special humanitarian trains with almost 3,000 refugees were organised from the Slovak-Ukrainian border to the Czech Republic.

The so-called Lex Ukraine Bill adopted by the Slovak Parliament addresses the issues of health and social insurance for asylum seekers, their employment and the presence of NATO troops on our territory. Refugees who wish to stay in Slovakia can either request asylum or temporary protection, which is a new legal status approved by the Slovak Parliament after Russia invaded Ukraine. The fastest way for refugees to receive support is to ask for temporary protection, which allows people to not only stay in Slovakia but also to receive accommodation, food, healthcare and work permits. If a refugee has temporary protection, his or her healthcare fee is covered by the state. This includes emergencies as well as further medical examinations and treatment. It is possible to ask for temporary protection at the Slovak borders or at the departments of the alien police. These currently operate non-stop and are dedicated solely to Ukrainians fleeing their country.

Refugees who cross the border are met by volunteers and state institutions offering humanitarian aid. There are heated tents where people can sit and rest, and volunteers provide food and warm drinks. Diverse collections of donations assembled by Slovaks are freely available on the spot, comprising items such as nappies, toiletries, durable foods, clothes and toys.

Transport from the border crossing to temporary accommodation is co-ordinated on the spot. There are buses, taxi services and even volunteers who come with their cars offer to drive people. Some municipalities and bus services provide free shuttle services. Free of charge are also buses used to transport people from villages near the Ukrainian border to bigger Slovak cities with better infrastructure. Furthermore, free transport is available for Ukrainian refugees on the trains run by the national carrier, which is the vast majority of trains in Slovakia.

A refugee child can register for a kindergarten or school. More than 1,000 Ukrainian children have been enrolled in Slovak kindergartens, primary and secondary schools since the war in Ukraine began. The ministry of education has been preparing a one-off financial contribution for schools to cover the increased costs. Slovak schools are also working on employing teachers from Ukraine.

There is a dedicated website created for refugees from Ukraine, where they can register and apply for jobs.

With thousands of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Slovakia every day, the burden on the Slovak healthcare system will increase and some patients will have to be relocated to other countries in the near future due to an overload. We consider the lack of staff, medicines and medical supplies to be the main problems for the future.

For Slovakia, as part of the EU and NATO, it is of key importance to note that since the very beginning we have had clear plans on how to strengthen our defence, especially along the eastern wing of the EU and alliance. There is an airport in the western Ukrainian city of Uzghorod that can be attacked. The runway of this airport ends just 50 m from the border with Slovakia. This as an example of why it is vital for Slovakia to enhance the defence of our eastern border.

Last week, the Slovak Parliament approved the NATO enhanced forward presence in Slovakia, allowing the presence of up to 2,100 NATO soldiers. The NATO unit consists of Czech, Dutch, Polish, Slovenian, American and German soldiers. This unit brings some important capabilities that Slovakia lacks at the moment, notably the Patriot air defence system. The defence of Slovakia and the eastern flank of NATO was discussed during last week’s visit of the US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, to Slovakia. He met with President Zuzana aputová, Prime Minister Eduard Heger and Defence Minister Jaroslav Na. They declared both countries' readiness to help Ukraine defend itself.

Based on the evaluation of the Slovak intelligence services, the Slovak Republic expelled three diplomats and workers from the Russian embassy for their activities in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

It is essential to continue to provide war-torn Ukraine with many forms of aid, especially humanitarian assistance. It is important that providing such aid be sustainable in the long term. Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the war are coming to Slovakia. I would like to highlight the exceptional wave of solidarity with refugees which Slovaks and many other nations, including Ireland, are showing. I also thank the European Commission and EU member countries that have positively responded and shown interest in helping us in this difficult situation. We will continue to widely support Ukraine. It is not alone. I thank the committee members for their attention and am open to any questions they may have.