Slovak President Receives the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia France Cukjati

The President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič received France Cukjati, the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.

During their talks the partners praised the quality of bilateral cooperation. Ivan Gašparovič presented Slovakia’s vision to intensify cooperation with the former Yugoslav countries in particular – including Slovenia – where he sees considerable opportunities, especially in the area of tourism.

France Cukjati also appreciated the good bilateral relations in foreign affairs: “What is ahead of us is our common future in the EU and the related issues concerning the single European currency, the Schengen policy and further arrangement of affairs in the EU.” Cukjati underlined the good relations which his country enjoys with the rest of the former Yugoslav countries and declared Slovenia’s interest in seeing the Kosovo issue resolved. He was therefore interested in the opinion of the Slovak President regarding the situation in the Western Balkans.

Gašparovič reacted that an “agreement between Belgrade and Prishtina is key to a successful decision on Kosovo”. The Slovak President is convinced that, in the international arena, the decision on Kosovo can be made only by the UN and its Security Council. He said Slovakia was ready to support the joint EU position in this context.

Slovenia is afraid that Albanians may unilaterally declare Kosovo’s independence and that the stances of EU countries could diverge. “The real and true European prospects are to have the EU open for both sides – Serbian and Albanian,” France Cukjati said. He thinks the EU should be more supportive of the economic and political relations with Serbia and Kosovo, including bilateral relations between both countries.