Slovak President Holds Talks with President of Romania Traian Băsescu in Bucharest

The President of the Slovak Republic, Ivan Gašparovič, started his official visit to Romania by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Parc Carol in Bucharest.
The Slovak head of state was then received with the highest honours by the President of Romania Traian Băsescu at Cotroceni Palace. At the beginning of the talks, Băsescu thanked Slovakia for substantial assistance in Romania’s integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures. ”Romania will never forget that the Slovak Republic was the first country to ratify Romania’s EU entry." He added that “our relations as neighbours are very good, allowing us to also further our cooperation within the framework of EU membership.” The host reminded Mr. Gašparovič of Romania’s firm stances, recollecting the year 1968 when the country refused to take part in the occupation of the then-Czechoslovakia by the Warsaw Treaty armies.

The Slovak head of state noted that he and his Romanian counterpart shared “similar views on the functioning of the EU.“
Gašparovič thanked his host for “brotherly assistance in defeating fascism”, which Romania provided 65 years ago during World War II. The President went on to say that “the Romanian soldiers played a major role in the liberation of several Slovak cities, for which we owe them a great deal of gratitude.“

Both presidents discussed the Lisbon Treaty and the functioning of the European Union in the future, and they also talked about the economic crisis and its impacts on national economies. Gašparovič said that “today, both countries are ready for joint investments, and even for investments in third countries.”
At a press conference held in Bucharest, the Slovak President noted that “the upside of this crisis is that it forces us to intensify cooperation in the field of economy and trade.“ President Băsescu was interested in Slovakia’s experience with the euro changeover, and is convinced that Romania would manage to meet the Maastricht criteria despite the current crisis. “Our goal is to join the euro area in 2014,” the President of Romania confirmed.

The heads of state also discussed the energy industry as a determining factor for the success of the national economy. Băsescu was pleased to note that Romania succeeded in signing an agreement for the construction of the NABUCCO gas pipeline, which will contribute to the diversification of sources flowing into Europe. Gašparovič said the Slovak Republic was fully dependent on energy sources imported from abroad. ”The recent gas crisis was yet another sign of the need to look for new sources and transit routes to Slovakia," he said, stressing that finding alternative petrol and gas sources was necessary.

Mr. Gašparovič thanked his Romanian counterpart for taking care of our expatriates. “I am glad that Romania accepts the Slovak minority and treats it with due attention. I am pleased to see that Slovaks living in Romania keep their identity in mind, yet remain loyal to the country of which they are citizens,” Gašparovič said about expatriates in Romania. In his opinion, it is a good thing that Romania intends to intensify support for minorities through European funds.
During their discussion, the presidents also touched upon the Roma issue, which both countries know quite well.