President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus and his spouse arrived in Slovakia for his last official visit as head of state. After finishing the plenary talks, Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič and Václav Klaus thanked each other for helpful and trouble-free cooperation.

Both presidents agreed that, when acting in their capacity as heads of state, they defended the positions of the sovereign Czech and Slovak Republics within both the domestic political arena and internationally. “During all those years there were many decisions influenced by the presidents as well, be it with regard to the economy, armed forces, culture or the functioning of the EU, V4, NATO and the UN. Therefore, I thanked Mr President and expressed my belief that he would maintain his helpful attitude towards Slovakia in the future,” Ivan Gašparovič said. At the plenary talks of the delegations, the Slovak president emphasised that the Visegrad Group was a priority format of regional cooperation for Slovakia. He added that Slovakia was keen to intensify the role of V4 within the European agenda also as a consultation forum.

During his meeting with Václav Klaus, Gašparovič noted that the 10-year recapitulation of the Slovak-Czech cooperation and working relations between both heads of state was very positive. He said the quality of the current relations between Slovaks and Czechs “clearly reached an all-time high”. Had they continued to live in the same country, the mutual relations between both nations would never be so good and sincere, he added. “This reform was really necessary. The relationship, which was based on economy and social status, was less acceptable to Slovakia; it was not an equal relationship.” As he added, however, both countries are on equal footing today and feel the need to cooperate amidst the troubled global economic situation. President Klaus confirmed his words and said that “both countries benefitted from the split.” Gašparovič added he was looking forward to cooperating with Klaus even after he ends his term as president and moves on to his new endeavours in the Centre for Economics and Politics and the Václav Klaus Institute which will focus on political, economic and social issues.

Václav Klaus confirmed “very close, friendly relations. As president, I have been to Slovakia thirteen times. The number of Ivan Gašparovič's visits is essentially the same. It is a sign that we do care immensely about the Czech-Slovak relations. I intend to remain a great friend of Slovakia in all of my future endeavours”, the outgoing Czech president emphasised.