President of the Slovak Republic Received Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel

President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič received Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel.

During the talks, the President of the Slovak Republic appreciated very much that the meeting took place at the time of continuing intensification of bilateral relations. President Ivan Gašparovič stated with satisfaction that not only the political dialogue between the two countries but also economic cooperation develops successfully. In particular, he pointed out the record turn-over of the mutual trade in 2005 which exceeded USD 517 mil..

The partners shared an opinion that their countries, now already the EU member states, should participate in common solutions of major world political problems. Minister Rupel emphasized that Slovakia is known in Slovenia as well as in the world in general for its flat tax and economic reforms which are very interesting for Slovenia. He also said that if Slovenia wanted to keep the pace of the economic growth it would have to perform some system supporting and reform steps.

In connection with reforms, President Ivan Gašparovič said that they were simply inevitable, even if Slovakia had not become an EU member state. „At first, the flat tax raised some doubts. Nevertheless, now it can be said that its introduction has led to positive results. Its reduction has been even considered now, “ said President Gašparovič. "However, he added that the citizens do not perceive positively all the reforms. In particular, the health care system reform and the pension reform are not seen by the public as a clear success, and the new government will have to revise these reforms. None the less, he was positive speaking about the reform process taking place in Slovakia, and according to him “no government, not even the one arising from the oncoming elections, may doubt the need of reforms, and will have to keep their continuity. “

The partners discussed also education reform in both countries, whereby Slovenian Minister Dimitrij Rupel mentioned the effort of Slovenia to introduce a shortening of university education from four to three years following the Bologna system, while more stress should be placed on master-level studies with an aim to increase general competitiveness in the field in line with the Lisbon strategy.

President Gašparovič discussed with Minister Rupel also the decision of the EU to suspend the association talks with Serbia and Montenegro. As President Ivan Gašparovič put it, it can result in a negative impact on the oncoming May referendum in Montenegro on its separation from Serbia.

The Slovenian guest said that it was highly likely that the citizens would approve in the Montenegro referendum the separation of Serbia and Montenegro, whereby he highlighted the approach of the Slovak special envoy for this referendum, Miroslav Lajčák. Both partners expressed their hopes that the talks of Serbia and the EU would be resumed after all.