Slovakia Concerned With Ukrainian Anti-Democratic

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000940 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL LO UP SUBJECT: Slovakia Concerned With Ukrainian Anti-Democratic Tendencies REF: STATE 217357 Per reftel, PolOff and FSN met October 13 with Radoslav Kusenda, Desk Officer for Ukraine. Kusenda reaffirmed that Slovakia is concerned with the situation in Ukraine and stressed that the international community must speak loudly now before the election takes place to ensure democratic norms are followed. As a state with a common border with Ukraine, Kusenda said Slovakia could not commit to "reexamine" its policy if the election does not meet democratic standards. Slovakia will continue to focus on Ukrainian democracy through the "strong financial instruments of the EU's European Neighbourhood Policy." HURLBERT NNNN