President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič held talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Presidential Palace in Bratislava. At the beginning of the meeting, Ivan Gašparovič appreciated the good level of relations between Slovakia and Turkey - "our mutual relations are very good, and we should take advantage of good relations in the economic sector, as well."

The Slovak head of state confirmed he was glad that the top officials of both countries were intensively engaged in bilateral contacts. "I am glad that our businesses have also started establishing cooperation with your businesses," he added.
President Ivan Gašparovič thanked the Turkish Prime Minister for Turkey's promise to consider the possibility of lifting visa requirements for Slovak citizens. He also appreciated Turkey’s support to Slovakia’s entry to NATO. "From this perspective as well, our bilateral cooperation is interesting, and I am pleased to see it has expanded to also encompass cooperation on the level of regions and municipalities," the President noted.

During his official visit to Slovakia, Prime Minister Erdogan was accompanied by a delegation of 120 entrepreneurs, underlining Turkey’s goal to intensify its economic cooperation with Slovakia.
Economic cooperation can be beneficial for both countries, according to the Slovak President. Slovakia is also interested in reinforcing cooperation in the military area. According to the Slovak President, Slovakia can offer its training capacities for special forces. In addition, there are also good prospects for cooperation in science and education, says the Slovak head of state.

At the meeting in the Presidential Palace, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan conveyed the greetings from Turkish President Abdullah Gül to his Slovak counterpart and repeated his invitation to an official visit to Turkey. In addition, he congratulated on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the sovereign Slovak Republic.

During the talks, the Turkish Prime Minister touched upon Turkey's efforts to join the European Union, as well. He thanked for the support by Slovakia to its integration efforts, and emphasised that his country had been seeking an EU membership for more than four decades already. In this respect, Prime Minister Erdogan recalled Turkey's interest in easing the visa regime for Turkish citizens entering the European Union countries. "I believe Slovakia will be supportive in this regards," he added.

Ivan Gašparovič reiterated Slovakia's position to further EU enlargement. "We are convinced that the accession talks between the EU and Turkey need a clear impetus. Turkey’s accession to the EU would be beneficial in political, economic, as well as cultural area," he said. “Slovakia appreciates the results of the so-called 'positive agenda’ you have implemented. Therefore, I firmly believe you can rely on Slovakia in this respect,” the Slovak President assured his Turkish guest.