Ukraine crisis – Visegrad ministers sign joint statement

Budapest, February 25 (MTI) – Interior ministers of Visegrad countries (V4) signed a joint statement in connection with the crisis in Ukraine in Budapest today.

The document signed by the ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia pledged to strengthen cooperation in the case of a mass inflow of refugees from Ukraine.

Hungary’s Interior Minister Sandor Pinter told a joint news conference that Hungary, along with Poland and Slovakia, is ready to meet its tasks in border control and will guarantee the security of borders with the help of police and border guards. If there is a wave of refugees, the country is ready to offer accommodation and health-care services, if need be, he said.

The ministers asked the acting Ukrainian interior minister to share information regarding public order and safety in Ukraine and to cooperate with the V4 countries.

The ministers expressed their sympathy for the injured and condolences to the families of the victims. They expressed hope that law and order and public safety would soon be restored in Ukraine and welcomed steps taken so far to stabilise the situation.

Pinter said after the talks that cooperation had been fast and exact on this matter and would ensure joint action to solve regional problems in future, too.

Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz, the Polish interior minister, said there have been no wave of refugees reported in Poland as yet, but the situation is fragile and changing.

Robert Kalinak, the Slovak minister, said the situation on their borders was calm and contact with Ukrainian partners has been smooth. A special focus on illegal immigrants and human smuggling should be retained, he added.

Jan Sixta, the Czech deputy minister for internal security, said the exchange of information among V4 members has proven to be prompt and outstanding.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters