US embassy cable - 05BRATISLAVA878

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000878 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, LO 
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA APPROVES ASSISTANCE PLAN FOR UKRAINE 
 
1.  On October 25, the GOS approved an assistance plan to 
help Ukraine meet the objectives outlined by the EU 
Ukraine Action Plan.  The proposed GOS activities will 
focus on sharing Slovak knowledge and experience in 
democratic and economic reforms with Ukrainian partner 
agencies.  The specific areas of the GOS plan closely 
follow the structure and chapters of the EU-Ukraine Action 
Plan.  Slovakia is considering assistance in almost all 
areas, including public administration reform, civil 
society, judicial and legal reforms, the fight against 
corruption, human and civil rights, freedom of media, 
minority rights, foreign policy and international 
organizations, conflict prevention and resolution, economic 
reforms, EU law, finances, structural reforms, social 
reforms, regional development, and customs. 
 
2.  The funding of this assistance remains to be 
determined.  In some cases, the funding will come from 
Slovak Overseas Development Assistance funds, and Slovak 
NGOs will implement the activities.  In most cases, 
however, the funding will likely come from the budgets and 
internal resources of Slovak ministries and other 
institutions which will provide the respective assistance. 
In these cases, Slovakia will attempt to "cost share" with 
Ukraine. 
 
3.  Several notable GOS activities outlined in the plan 
include the offer of Slovak assistance in securing 
democratic parliamentary elections in March 2006 through 
participation in the monitoring mission, expert 
consultations, and in drafting amendments to the election 
legislation (including the law on opposition).  Slovakia is 
also considering assistance in continuation of 
administrative reform and strengthening of local self- 
governments in Ukraine through training courses and "study 
stays" with organizations with experiences in public 
administration reform, such as the Ministry of Construction 
and Regional Development and the Kosice Self-Governing 
Region. 
 
4.  COMMENT:  The proposal does not contain a binding 
timeline other than mandating that an evaluation report be 
submitted in January 2007.  Ministers are bound to 
implement this plan, but have to find funds in their 
regular budgets, meaning they will have to re-allocate 
funds from other projects.  The success of this program 
will depend mainly on how much effort the individual 
agencies invest in it.  Some organizations may need 
additional motivation from the PM, parliament, media, as 
well as from the EU and other international donors. 
 
VALLEE 
 
 
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