President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič pays official visit to Croatia

From 29 to 30 October 2008 President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič paid an official visit to the Republic of Croatia.

The President held talks with his Croatian counterpart Stjepan Mesić. The Croatian President thanked Ivan Gašparovič for the support provided in the implementation of Croatian strategic objectives and accession to Euro-Atlantic structures. “We would like to use your pre-accession experience just as you were using the experience of others in your accession negotiations,” Mesić said.

“On Croatia’s path to NATO and the EU, Slovakia turned out to be a reliable and constructive partner,” Stjepan Mesić said. “The support, guidance and actual assistance provided to Croatia by the Slovak Republic demonstrates how much Slovakia is interested in Croatia becoming an EU member as soon as possible,” President Mesić stated. According to President Ivan Gašparovič, it is not fair that Croatia, which is in his opinion better prepared to access the EU than the last new members, is not yet an EU member state. Therefore he expressed his belief that deadlines concerning Croatia’s accession will be met.

At the same time, the President promised Croatia full support in this area. Ivan Gašparovič presented to the Croatian President a standpoint of non-support concerning the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Slovakia, a country respecting international law, is not in favour of Kosovo’s independence and feels the same about the preservation of Georgia’s integrity. The Slovak President thanked President Mesić regarding support for the Slovak minority living in Croatia. “The Slovaks living in Croatia preserve Slovak traditions, culture and language, but they know that Croatia is their new country and they are its citizens,” the President emphasised, adding that in his opinion they also remain loyal to the state. Unfortunately, this cannot be said about all national minorities living in Slovakia, the President added. The Presidents also discussed the issue of the current world financial crisis and its impact on the economy of both countries.

The Slovak and Croatian Presidents spoke at the Slovak-Croatian trade forum in Zagreb. Nadan Vidosevic, President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy said: “In the area of economy, Slovakia is Croatia’s closest partner.” According to Vidosevic, Croats perceive it as a great challenge to follow the successful development of Slovakia’s economy, as well as the development of individual sectors after Slovakia’s accession to the EU.

In his speech, Ivan Gašparovič highlighted positive trends in the economic area between Slovakia and Croatia. At the forum in Zagreb the President expressed belief that, despite the world financial crisis, Slovakia will manage to maintain its trend of economic growth. According to the latest data, Croatia occupies 39th place among foreign investors in Slovakia. Slovak investments in Croatia occupy 14th place. The President added that during the first eight months of this year, more than 274 000 Slovaks visited Croatia.

According to Ivan Gašparovič the prospects of, and the possibilities for extraordinary cooperation are to be found particularly in the energy sector and the diversification of energy sources. “Croatia with its oil deposits and harbours may become our important partner who would, through the connected Adria – Družba oil pipelines, supply oil to a significant part of Europe,” Ivan Gašparovič said.

The programme of the official visit to Croatia also included a meeting with Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, as well as a speech by Ivan Gašparovič in the Croatian Parliament – Sabor. In his speech, the President informed Croatian members of parliament that, on 24 October 2008, the National Council of the Slovak Republic expressed an approval with Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession. Subsequently, the President signed a ratification instrument related to these Protocols, thus completing their ratification in Slovakia.