Slovak foreign minister talks glowingly about the state of Czech-Slovak relations

Slovak foreign minister, photo: CTK

The Slovak Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan on a visit of the Czech Republic on Tuesday met several officials, among others Prime Minister Stanislav Gross, Prague Mayor Pavel Bem and Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda. Since July 2003 when the two ministers last met, they've had quite a few issues to talk about. Both countries have joined the European Union, but there are also other important cooperation issues. During Tuesday's meeting, the two foreign ministers signed a document enabling better cooperation in emergency situations, such as a terrorist attack or some natural disaster. Radio Prague's Martin Mikule talked to Minister Kukan about the main targets of his current visit.

Slovak foreign minister,  photo: CTK
"The main purpose of my visit is to cultivate the excellent relations existing between our two countries. We are really happy we enjoy the best relations one can ever imagine. but we think that it's necessary to develop them to cultivate them....So the purpose of my visit is to sit down with my colleague - minister of foreign affairs, with the representatives of the Parliament, the prime minister and all other relevant dignitaries of the Czech Republic in order to further deepen the mutual cooperation."

You have just signed a document with Minister Svoboda. Can you say - what is it regarding?

"This document is regulating the mutual cooperation in the emergency situations when the when the citizens of both countries can fall into different difficult situations so that both governments will cooperate in order to provide the necessary assistance and necessary help."

Eduard Kukan and Cyril Svoboda,  photo: CTK
Has there been any development in the mutual relations after both the countries joined the European Union? For example in terms of traffic on borders or something like that?

"We continue smoothly our mutual cooperation after we became members of the European Union. There are many important issues which are being discussed now by the Union where the interest of both Slovak Republic and Czech Republic coincides, and we agreed how we are going to proceed in order to strengthen our negotiating position within the EU. Concerning the direct contact between our two countries we are looking forward - and I was glad that the Czech side has the same attitude - toward the issue of becoming members of the 'Schengen Space' as soon as possible, so that the internal border between Slovakia and the Czech Republic will allow very smooth contact and crossing of the border between the population both countries."