Although some believe that interstate cooperation relies solely on major political agreements, real bridges between the two countries are often built by ordinary public figures. The head of the Košice Združenia Feman (Association Feman), expert and ambassador of the Zakarpattia region in Slovakia Eduard Buraš received official recognition for his many years of work.
Who and for what received the award
The honorary award from the head of the Ukrainian Verchovná rada (Supreme Council) Ruslan Stefanchuk was presented on September 7 in Uzhhorod. This was reported by government sources and Košice Dnes. The ceremony took place during a working Ukrainian-Slovak meeting attended by representatives of the legislative bodies of both states. The award was presented by the head of the friendship group with Slovakia in the Ukrainian parliament Anatoliy Kostyukh. From the Slovak side, the deputy chairman of the Národná rada (National Council) Martin Dubéci was present as a guest at the negotiations.
Eduard Buraš has worked for a long time in Košice, where he organizes the well-known Dni Ukrajiny (Days of Ukraine), and since the beginning of the Russian invasion, he has coordinated the delivery of humanitarian aid. In addition, he works as an expert advisor to the Slovak commissioner for children and since May this year also as an advisor to the president of the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ULIE) on economic and investment cooperation.
Criticism of the Slovak parliament and border issues
During the meeting in Uzhhorod, the parties discussed many painful issues, including the situation at hraničné priechody (border crossings), infrastructure development, and cooperation between Zakarpattia, Prešov Region, and Košice Region.
There was also critical assessment of the current state of political relations. As Buraš noted, Ukrainian deputies pointed out that in the Slovak Národná rada (National Council) over the past four years, no group of deputies for cooperation with Ukraine has appeared.
Absence of a parliamentary group: Slovakia has friendship groups with all neighboring countries except Ukraine, which complicates interparliamentary dialogue.
Need for joint actions: Coordinated pressure from deputies of both countries on European institutions in Brussels could significantly help attract EU funds.
Regional development: Closer cooperation is also necessary to improve infrastructure at the border and the economic rise of eastern Slovak and border Ukrainian regions.
Deepening such ties is important for stability and support of Ukrainians living in this region or planning their future in both countries.
