Blanar: Austria and Slovakia Seek Cooperation on Joint Infrastructure ... (2)

Berlin, April 23 (TASR) - Slovakia and Austria aim to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, with a particular focus on infrastructure projects to improve road and rail connections, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) stated on Wednesday following a bilateral meeting with Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger. Blanar considers the current connection between Slovakia and Austria insufficient and said both sides aim to identify key infrastructure projects for joint development and funding at their next meeting. He noted that better links would boost cross-border and trade development, welcomed Austria's progress on the S8 expressway, and highlighted the modernisation of the Bratislava–Vienna railway. The minister praised Slovakia's relations with Austria, which he described as very good. He thanked the Austrian side for its prompt assistance regarding foot-and-mouth disease and highlighted the strong economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, while noting there's still room for improvement. The ministers also discussed border checks related to illegal migration, agreeing that they're necessary. They emphasised that illegal migration should be addressed at the EU level. Both expressed hope that cross-border cooperation between the two countries' emergency medical services will begin soon. They also discussed energy issues and current foreign policy matters. The Austrian minister highlighted that Slovakia and Austria share a common history, present, and future within a united EU, and stressed the importance of jointly upholding shared values. She welcomed the cooperation shown during the foot-and-mouth outbreak as proof that both countries are able to face new challenges together. She also proposed closer collaboration on energy issues and emphasised the importance of improving mutual infrastructure, particularly through the construction of additional bridges. The two ministers laid a wreath at the memorial of the Gate of Freedom at the Bratislava borough of Devin to honour the people who were killed on the border between the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and Austria while attempting to escape from behind the Iron Curtain between 1945-1989. lin