Prezident SR - Foto archív Slovak President pays a farewell visit to the Czech Republic

Slovak President pays a farewell visit to the Czech Republic

President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič and his wife paid a two-day official farewell visit to the Czech Republic. After a welcome ceremony at the Prague Castle, the Slovak President held a bilateral meeting with his Czech counterpart Miloš Zeman, followed by plenary talks of both delegations. Ivan Gašparovič considers Slovak-Czech relations closest and most amicable. "The Czech Republic is our closest neighbour, partner and friend,” the President said at the Prague Castle. He emphasised Slovakia was extremely pleased with excellent and functioning cooperation of the two countries in the EU, NATO and V4 Group. Czech President Miloš Zeman also appreciated extraordinary close contacts between the two countries.

In addition to bilateral relations, the two presidents discussed a so-called Visegrad "battle group", a joint combat unit of V4 member states. "The joint V4 battle group is expected to come into existence in 2016 and should also hold an alliance certificate," Czech Defence Minister Martin Stropnický said. According to the Slovak President, Slovakia now has to review a system of funding its armed forces and, based on this review, to take position on building a joint battle group consisting of Slovak, Czech, Polish and Hungarian troops. Slovak Defence Minister Martin Glváč was also present at the presidents’ meeting.

President Miloš Zeman also mentioned continued development of transport infrastructure links between Slovakia and the Czech Republic, agreed upon by their respective governments. Both highest officials agreed the European Union had to complete its internal energy market which would enhance EU’s competitiveness and improve security of energy supply. "As far as nuclear security and choice of energy mix are concerned, the principle of national sovereignty must be fully respected," Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič noted. "I would also express my personal envy that Slovak has long been a euro area member, while the Czech Republic is still only considering accession," Czech President Miloš Zeman told reporters after the meeting. The Czech Republic has a lot to learn from Slovakia to obtain valuable experience from a successful euro changeover, he added.

The Slovak President appreciated the above-standard level in cross-border cooperation with the Czech Republic. President Ivan Gašparovič also awarded his Czech host with Slovakia's highest state decoration - an Order of the Double White Cross of First Class. As the Slovak head of state noted, "this prominent award was given [to President Zeman] not only for his work as a Czech President, but also for more than 20 years he has been active on the Czech political scene and for his positive attitude to Slovakia."
During his official visit to the Czech Republic, the Slovak President also met Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and head of the Senate of the Czech parliament Milan Štěch. He also visited the Institute of Václav Klaus, where he met with the former Czech president and his wife, as well as the Charles University in Prague.