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Gasparovic: Relations Between Serbia and Slovakia Should Strengthen
Tuesday 09 February 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, February 9 (TASR) - Relations between Serbia and Slovakia are good and amicable, and it's in this spirit that the two countries should proceed to strengthen also ties in the fields of trade and commerce, culture, education and tourism, Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic said at his Tuesday's meeting with Serbian Parliamentary Chairman Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic.
Slovakia is an active provider of development aid, said Gasparovic, as it helped Serbia in carrying out more than 100 projects worth €10.5-million. Gasparovic also appreciated the good relations between Slovak and Serbian Parliaments.
Djukic-Dejanovic also spoke highly of the co-operation between the two countries. "Thank you for your support and the principled stances on respecting international law along with UN Resolution 1244 regarding Kosovo," she said, adding that Serbia is also grateful to Slovakia for support received vis-a-vis the EU integration process.
"I'd like to thank you for officially acknowledging the Serbian minority in Slovakia last week as the 13th national minority," she said. According to her, economic co-operation hasn't reached the desired level yet, and more attention needs to be paid to this – concurring with Gasparovic that there's room for improvement in mutual trade.
According to Gasparovic, Serbia's integration into the EU is being affected also by the global crisis and introduction of the Treaty of Lisbon. He voiced his support for integration efforts of all west Balkan states. "There should be no differences between negotiations with Serbia and Croatia. It would be good if the two countries joined the EU at the same time," emphasised Gasparovic. He added that Croatia has met all the EU membership criteria already; however, Serbia still needs to fulfil some of the entry conditions.
Djukic-Dejanovic asked the Slovak President to continue his policies of support for stabilisation and integration of the Balkan region. In his reply, President Gasparovic confirmed his interest in this policy goal. He also alluded to the Kosovo issue, stressing that the "issue will be resolved according to international law in the future". He emphasised that Slovakia won't change its stance – that Kosovo should not have been able to unilaterally declare independence – unless Serbia changes its position.
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