President of Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev Pays Official Visit to Slovakia

At the invitation of Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič, the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, arrived in Slovakia for an official visit. President Medvedev was received in Bratislava by all of the highest officials of the Slovak Republic. The visit by the President of the Russian Federation confirmed a high level of bilateral relations and strengthened, in particular, economic cooperation. The presidents also discussed international politics, relations between the Russian Federation and the EU and NATO, as well as the issue of security and peace in the world. Their discussion also addressed energy, transport and military-technical cooperation. Mr. Gašparovič invited Slovak businesspeople to gather momentum in establishing new economic contacts in the Russian market, because the capabilities of both countries already allow for joint investments in third countries. In the same vein, he expressed his support at removing visa barriers between the Russian Federation and the European Union.

The Slovak side was pleased to note that Mr. Medvedev’s visit to Bratislava was taking place on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Slovak capital Bratislava’s liberation by the Red Army.
Following their talks, both presidents signed a joint declaration on the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe and on Slovak-Russian friendly relations. In the presence of the Slovak and Russian heads of state, nine intergovernmental and trade agreements were signed between both countries.

In his address, the President of the Russian Federation stressed the openness of Slovakia as “the gateway to the European Union, and I can say that we will be very happy when we are able to enter this gate, bringing us closer together in cooperation with other countries.” The Russian President said that Russia, together with the EU, was preparing a new basic partnership agreement.

Both statesmen awarded state decorations to Russian veterans (Order of the White Double Cross 2nd Class) and Slovak veterans (Order of Friendship) in the Presidential Palace.

Mr. Medvedev also attended a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of Bratislava’s liberation at the Slavín memorial.