President Ivan Gašparovič pays official visit to the Czech Republic

To start his one-day official visit to the Czech Republic, the Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič met the Czech President Václav Klaus. Gašparovič thanked his Czech counterpart for supporting Slovakia with his views throughout his tenure as Slovakia’s President and said that such mutual support was natural.

He appreciated the Czech Republic’s attitude during the Russia-Ukraine gas row, amidst which Slovakia received selfless help from its western neighbours. On the other hand, according to Gašparovič, the approach of Ukraine, with which Slovakia had signed a gas supply contract, was disappointing. The Slovak President also touched on the issue of Slovakia’s entry into the Eurozone, which has unquestionably been a positive move: “There are more pros than cons to euro adoption in terms of our economy and people”.

Both partners agreed that Ukraine had missed a vital chance during the recent gas dispute. According to Gašparovič, this experience is urging Slovakia to reconsider its position regarding Ukraine. Furthermore, he introduced the Czech President to Slovakia’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák, who was also present as a member of the President’s delegation.

Gašparovič and his Czech counterpart also discussed relations between the EU and Russia. Gašparovič is convinced that a partnership among the EU, Russia and the USA could foster global stability.

Both heads of state also discussed mutual support for culture and the use of state languages in the television broadcasting of both countries.
Commenting on the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, Gašparovič reiterated his view that its ratification should be completed.

Both politicians also discussed the impacts of the global financial crisis.
During his official visit, President Ivan Gašparovič also met the President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Přemysl Sobotka.

The meeting with the Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek confirmed the excellent quality of Slovak-Czech relations. Furthermore, the Slovak President held talks with the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, Miloslav Vlček, who asked Gašparovič about Slovakia’s experience with the euro changeover. According to Ivan Gašparovič, “our Eurozone entry came at just the right time and stabilised Slovakia’s economy”.