The President of the Slovak Republic Met with the Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina

From 30 November to 1 December 2005, President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič paid an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. He talked to Chairman of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency Miro Jovič and the members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency. Miro Jovič voiced his pleasure to welcome for the first time ever a President of an EU member state. He recalled the historical and geographical closeness of both countries, not being burden by any contestable issues. Regarding the Euro-integration topic, President Ivan Gašparovič expressed the support of integration ambition of Bosnia and Herzegovina, aimed at the full-fledged membership in the EU. In addition, he declared the readiness of the Slovak Republic to share Slovak Republic’s experience in the integration process.
President Ivan Gašparovič talked also to Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Adnan Terzic. They stated some starting points common to both countries, but also some differences, especially regarding the peaceful split of the former Czecho-Slovakia. Therefore, Terzic emphasized that „Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot allow not to use the Slovak experience in joining the EU and NATO.” President Gašparovič and the Premier of Bosnia and Herzegovina talked also about intensification of economic relations, especially because the Slovak delegation included a large number of Slovak businessmen. The President of the Slovak Republic wanted to know Terzic’s opinion of the Kosovo issue. According to him, the greatest threat would be the Kosovo independence without relevant conditions having been met. The partners also discussed the topic of the readmission agreement, and President Gašparovič advocated fast solution of the problem.
On the second day of the visit, President Ivan Gašparovič went to Mostar and visited the University there. On this occasion, Rector of the University Frano Ljubič conferred on President Gašparovič a title of honorary doctorate.