COMMON PATHS AND COMMON GOALS
Milan Kucan at the joint press conference with President Madl
On the occasion of the official visit of Hungarian President Ferenc Madl to Slovenia.

Ljubljana, 31 May 2001



Photo: BOBO

MILAN KUCAN
Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen, this visit of the President of the Republic of Hungary to Slovenia comes at a time when Hungary is celebrating the 1000th anniversary of its own state and Slovenia is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its own state. This means a ratio of 1 to 100; a respectable ratio, which by no means signifies that Slovenians' joy over having our own state is lesser by that same ratio. That joy is equally great and it is with satisfaction that we have learned today that Hungary is also rejoicing in our success. The reverse is true as well, of course. Slovenia looks on with joy at everything that has been created in Hungary after the democratic changes. We are following a common path, pursuing common goals, and it is only right for us to support one another in this, leading a continued process of exchange of experience between the countries as well as continued political dialogue on what we have in common, regarding either bilateral interests and co-operation, or global issues concerning the world we live in.

Co-operation between Slovenia and Hungary is good, it is well in place. Our talks today are supported by all that has already been settled and resolved in the meeting between the Prime Ministers of both countries, their Foreign Ministers and at the level of other ministries. The President and I have found, however, that this good co-operation could benefit our two countries more, and that was also the purpose of our meeting today. This means that more will have to be done for the opportunities that both countries have to be exploited better. It is important that both countries also have many paths open to them to be able to resolve quickly any problems that life brings about and it is very important that in these ten years there was not one problem that would burden the atmosphere of good neighbourly relations.

The President said that we also discussed minorities. Our minorities have truly become bridges between our two countries. As early as 1992 our countries concluded a special bilateral agreement binding them to continued care for the protection and status of these minorities. It is in the interest of both countries that, regardless of the often understandable material and financial hardships, they fulfil the obligations laid down by these agreements, obligations founded on principles that are able to withstand all scrutiny, including scrutiny under European criteria.

As regards global strategic aims, that is European Union and NATO membership, our points of departure, our positions and our assessments are the same. Both countries wish to see 2004 roll around with elections of their own MPs to the European Parliament; this means that they will conclude their preparatory activities and that they also expect the European Union to be ready for enlargement. Our two countries are not in favour of discriminatory conditions, transitional periods consisting of discrimination. Both countries wish to see European Union membership do away once and for all with the consequences of erstwhile political, ideological, economic and social block divisions in Europe. Both countries want to see this become an important step towards a true re-integration of Europe, especially in the spiritual field.

As for NATO our status is different. Hungary is a member state. It has its own experience and its own path which it has already travelled and which can be very useful to us. This experience is also available to us and it is very important that Hungary hasn't changed its position. It wishes to support NATO enlargement. It believes that admitting Slovenia among its members is in the interest of strengthening European defence as well as in the interest of enhancing the defence capabilities of NATO. Politically, the criteria remain the same. However, these criteria have become stricter in the area requiring an assessment of a country's contribution to the strengthening of the NATO's collective defence capabilities. It is precisely in this respect that the Hungarian experience, as well as that of the Czech Republic and Poland, can prove very valuable.

From this aspect we also discussed Central European co-operation, we discussed the need for Central Europe to preserve its spiritual identity also once these countries become EU member states; we discussed that co-operation within the Vishegrad group could constitute the backbone of such collaboration and integration, and that the door to such cooperation is also open to Slovenia, to Austria and to all those countries that deem themselves part of this spiritual environment.

Furthermore we touched on the situation in the Balkans. We believe that we are probably still a long way away from the desired goal of writing the final chapter of the Yugoslav crisis or the Balkan crisis in a broader context. This issue will, however, be discussed in greater detail in our forthcoming talks, as well as in the President's talks with the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly, and other collocutors in Slovenia. I also estimate as very important the talks that the President is scheduled to hold with representatives of the Hungarian minority living in Slovenia. Thank you.



Question
Both Presidents mentioned that you would like to see Slovenia and Hungary take part in elections to the European Parliament in 2004. What would happen if this were not to occur? What would be the consequences for the region that has been rather unstable recently?

MILAN KUCAN
This simply may not happen. This would namely undermine the credibility of the EU, it would undermine the desire for enlargement as well as the issue of whether the EU truly wants to have members that were once part of the European political east. South East Europe would remain divided with all the consequences that have already been caused by a block division of Europe.



Photo: BOBO