Ukraine slows down the opening of the pedestrian crossing point in Uzhgorod

Last year Slovakia built at its own expense a modern infrastructure for pedestrian and cyclist crossing at the international checkpoint "Uzhgorod – Vysne Nemecke" but the terminal is still not working because of the delays on the part of Kyiv. Ukraine has not yet responded to the diplomatic note of the Slovak party on this matter – the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic reported to the portal Port Europa.

Pedestrian crossing in Uzhgorod was possible until 2007 and was very popular. Crossing the border on foot usually took a short time, you could cross to the Slovak side within just 15-20 minutes, while cars and buses wait at the border for as long as 2-4 hours. In the border village of Vyšné Nemecke, 200 meters from the checkpoint, there are two grocery stores and a bus stop, from which you can get to Michalovce, and from there by train or by bus to Kosice, Poprad, the High Tatras, or even to Bratislava or Prague.

In view of the foregoing, the possibility of pedestrian crossing was very convenient for transit travelers and for those, who traveled from Kyiv and Lviv to Bratislava, Prague or the Tatras. Slovaks often used the pedestrian crossing point too, especially residents of Michalovce, who would travel to Uzhgorod for cheap shopping. 

Pedestrian traffic in Uzhgorod and Maly Berezny was temporarily closed for reconstruction in 2007, in connection with Slovakia’s entry to the Schengen area, which required upgrading of the pedestrian infrastructure. At the crossing point Maly Berezny – Ubl’a, such reconstruction was done immediately, and in 2008 pedestrian traffic resumed there. The reconstruction of the pedestrian lane in Uzhgorod was planned for the same 2008, but due to lack of funds, it was delayed for a year or two. Ultimately, this reconstruction was completed in 2014-2015.

At present, there are no technical reasons that would prevent the re-opening of the pedestrian crossing in Uzhgorod. On the contrary, Slovakia is looking forward to it. The only thing that is lacking is the consent of Kyiv – the Slovak Ministry of Finance told us. – The Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic, by the letter dated February 3, 2016, asked the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic to send a diplomatic note to the Ukrainian party expressing consent to start bilateral negotiations to amend the Agreement between the Government of the Slovak Republic and the Government of Ukraine on border crossings on common state borders. The Ministry of Finance still has not received the answer from the Ukrainian party to the said diplomatic note – the press service of the Ministry of Finance informed.

Jakub Loginov, PortEuropa