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Clinton: Slovakia is Crucial for Integration Processes in Western Balkans
Wednesday 20 Octtber 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Washington/Bratislava, October 20 (TASR) - Slovakia is crucial in the integration process of the Western Balkans and the country's eastern neighbours into Euro-Atlantic structures and is a very good example of the benefits that come with broader integration into the European Community, said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a meeting with her Slovak counterpart Mikulas Dzurinda on Tuesday.
The Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry press department told TASR on Tuesday that Clinton expressed her appreciation for the friendly relations with Slovakia, which, she added, has undergone a significant transition from a country locked behind the Iron Curtain into a vibrant democracy. "It's a pillar of regional stability and co-operation, which is achieving among the fastest rates of growth in Europe," said Clinton.
The two partners discussed issues concerning the Balkans and Eastern Europe, including energy security and the protection of minorities. "I would like to thank the head of Slovak diplomacy, the Government and the people of the Slovak Republic for their persistent support and defence of our common values in the world," said Clinton, also mentioning the Slovak contribution to the NATO mission in Afghanistan. "We're really pleased and honoured by the service of the Slovak soldiers marching side by side with American troops," she said, adding that the Slovak troops are helping Afghanistan to build a better and more prosperous future.
According to Dzurinda, three areas were discussed at the meeting, with the first, and most important, being political dialogue. "I pointed out that Slovakia is currently presiding over the Visegrad Four countries [Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary]. I mentioned the upcoming meeting of V4 foreign affairs ministers with their partners from the Western Balkans, which will take place in Bratislava on Friday. A ministerial meeting with our partners from Eastern Europe will take place at the beginning of next year, which is a demonstration of our efforts and interest in the Eastern Partnership," said Dzurinda.
The second part of the discussion concerned defence and military co-operation, while economic co-operation featured at the end.
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