The official visit of the President of Slovenia Danilo Türk and his wife started with a welcoming ceremony in the Presidential Palace courtyard.
After the bilateral talks both presidents confirmed a close partnership between their countries and declared an interest in its further development. The Slovak president praised the course of Slovenia’s presidency over the European Union while noting that he considers Slovenia a good representative of all new member states during its presidency over the EU in the first half of 2008.
The Slovak president highly appreciated the expert support and assistance provided in various forms to the Slovak Republic by the Slovenian Government in the course of the introduction of the euro in Slovakia. Slovakia also appreciates the political support of Slovenia as the presiding country of the EU regarding the introduction of the euro as of the 1st of January 2009.
The presidents also discussed economic issues. The mutual foreign trade balance of Slovenia and Slovakia shows long-term growth. Ivan Gašparovič said that relations in culture, science and education were being continuously improved. The Slovenian president said that the level of cooperation between the countries was already so high that mutual investment – of Slovakia in Slovenia and vice versa – was expected. This concerns in particular cooperation in logistics and transportation.
Danilo Türk also praised highly the recent ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in Slovakia. The Slovenian president perceives it as a clear declaration by Slovakia in relation to the further development of the European Union. The president also highlighted the successful presidency of Slovakia over the UN Security Council. The two officials also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and the Kosovo issue. “I am convinced that patient negotiations will lead to the final solution of Kosovo’s status,” Danilo Türk said.
