FOURTEEN PRESIDENTS OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN STATES FAVOUR THE NEXT MEETING IN SLOVENIA

Verbania (Italy), 9 June 2001


“At the end of next year, President Kucan ends his leadership of a country which became independent in a very wise manner and which is today a stable country. I think that a meeting of presidents of Central European countries in Slovenia would be a suitable opportunity to bid President Kucan farewell”, said President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic at his press conference in Verbania, and added that President Kucan has attended meetings of presidents of Central European countries since the very beginning.

President Kucan commented on the decision, announced by President of the Republic of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi,at the joint press conference of presidents, with the following words: “I think that the proposal is fresh, major recognition for Slovenia, which already hosted this meeting five years ago. Slovenia is therefore noticed and recognised as an active member of the international community as well as an unique bridge between East and West Europe.”