The Slovak President appreciated the excellent level of care that Romania provides to the Slovak minority which represents a strong bond between Slovakia and Romania. EU enlargement issues were also on the agenda of the meeting of the two heads of state. ”We are definitely in favour of Romania’s (and Bulgaria’s) entry into the Schengen area. The entry should primarily depend on your abilities to meet the requirements under the Schengen acquis,” President Gašparovič pointed out. He added Slovakia did not support introduction of any additional criteria that would go beyond the existing requirements. The evaluation of compliance with the Schengen criteria has successfully been completed and Slovakia believes there is no reason to reject Romania’s and Bulgaria’s entry to the Schengen area.

The Romanian head of state thanked for the support to Romania’s Schengen entry, as well as for Slovakia’s support to the Eastern Partnership initiative. In addition, he thanked for respecting Romanian citizens working in Slovakia.

Diversification of natural gas supply and transport routes and the situation in the Western Balkans were also on the presidents’ agenda. During the visit of the Romanian President to Slovakia, the two heads of state awarded WWII veterans from both countries at a ceremony held in the Presidential Palace.

On the second day of the Romanian President’s official visit, the two highest state officials attended nation-wide celebrations marking the 69th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising, held in Banská Bystrica.