Sutaj Estok: Eastern Border Will Be Monitored by Two Drones

Vysne Nemecke, February 28 (TASR) - The Slovak-Ukrainian border will be monitored by two unmanned aircraft, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) reported on Wednesday. The border is 98 kilometres long, two thirds of which are located in difficult mountainous terrain. At the same time, the minister handed over five new vehicles to the local border and foreign police department. "This is a demonstration of our determination to protect the Schengen border and to fight illegal migration," Sutaj Estok stressed, adding that Slovakia is ready for the upcoming Schengen evaluation that will take place in the autumn. The minister expressed his hope that the war in Ukraine will end peacefully and that Slovakia will be ready to open the gateway to Europe, which would benefit eastern Slovakia in particular. The minister also announced a major reconstruction of the Vysne Nemecke border crossing, claiming that there will be five road lanes in each direction instead of the current two. According to the minister, this is especially important in light of growing lorry traffic. The reconstruction works could begin in the autumn, he said. zel/mcs