President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič visited the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Latvia

The President of the Slovak Republic, Ivan Gašparovič, paid an official visit to the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Latvia from 28 February to 4 March 2005 during which he met with the highest constitutional officials of these Baltic countries. The issues discussed during their meetings included common cooperation where the heads of states saw the best potential in the field of investments. As Ivan Gašparovič stated, today, Slovakia has achieved such a position that the country not only can receive investments but is also capable of making investments itself. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus said that Slovakia and Lithuania are not using all possibilities offered by cooperation to full extent and he believes that this visit will also facilitate their deepening because a numerous group of businesspeople accompanied President Gašparovič. Ivan Gašparovič also informed Valdas Adamkus of the conclusions from the summit held between the American and Russian Presidents in Bratislava and also of the results from the bilateral meetings held with the politicians individually. The President of the Slovak Republic, Ivan Gašparovič, met the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Algirdas Brazauskas. When meeting with the Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament - Seimas, Arturas Paulauskas, Ivan Gašparovič communicated the view of President Bush that the road map for liberalising the travel regime should apply to all countries of central and Eastern Europe, which are US allies within NATO. He also recalled the words of Mr. Bush that change must happen on both sides.

In the Republic of Latvia President Ivan Gašparovič of the Slovak Republic met President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Both heads of states had a presentation at a business forum in Riga. The objective pursued there was to support the trade balance and influx of investments into both countries.

In the Republic of Latvia the President of the Slovak Republic also met with the Lord Mayor of the city of Riga, Gundars Bojars, and the Speaker of the Latvian Parliament, Ingrid Udre. The ratification of the European Constitutional Treaty was also an issue discussed. President Ivan Gašparovič also met the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Aigars Kalvitis. At this meeting President Ivan Gašparovič emphasised the significance of the Lisbon Strategy for the development of Slovak economy and the importance of EU funds. The Lithuanian Prime Minister informed the President of the Slovak Republic of his government’s intentions to follow the example of Slovakia and to gradually decrease tax rates and, thus, make Latvia more attractive for foreign investors.