President Dr Drnovšek received the President of the Slovak Republic, Dr Ivan Gašparovič
Ljubljana, 07/07/2005 | press release
President of Slovenia, Dr Janez Drnovšek, today received the President of the Slovak Republic, Dr Ivan Gašparovič who is on official visit to Slovenia.
The Presidents assessed the relations established between the two countries as very good and friendly. They also stressed that the cooperation was developing well in a number of areas. President Drnovšek said that Slovenia was taking great interest in following the development of Slovakia and its economic reform and that also the Slovakian experience in this field attracted Slovenia’s attention.
During the talks, the Slovenian and Slovakian Presidents dedicated most of their attention to the future of the European Union after the rejection of the European Constitution in France and the Netherlands and on the perspective of the countries of South-Eastern Europe.
After the talks with the Slovakian President, President Drnovšek gave a statement to the press:
“Today I met with Mr Gašparovič, the President of the Slovak Republic. It was a great pleasure for me that the meeting took place. It means a continuation of excellent relations both countries have established in the recent period. We have a lot in common and very often the world mixes up Slovakia and Slovenia because of similar name, similar flag and even the similar language. But I think that the world started to distinguish more clearly between our two countries and that both countries are achieving good results and thus raise attention. Our common accession to the European Union and NATO contributes, firstly, to our identification and, secondly, provides opportunities to establish ourselves as respected members of the international community with constructive contributions as well as with an extremely good cooperation. Slovakia and Slovenia have developed excellent economic cooperation that is increasing. Several opportunities still remain open for the future. Recently, Slovenia has taken great interest in the Slovakian model of reforms. They are frequently discussed in Slovenia, for example the uniform tax rate and Slovakia’s success in attracting large international investments. The talks today are also an opportunity to discuss these issues and to exchange experiences.
We devoted a great deal of attention also to the European Union, to the situation that emerged after the two failed referenda on the European Constitution and the constitutional process has been practically frozen. We discussed where to go from here, what to expect in the European Union as well as the issue of new negotiations on the financial perspective, starting from the beginning and EU Member States trying to reach some new, basic agreements. The time for proposals and serious considerations has come and I think new Member States, such as Slovakia and Slovenia, could contribute a great deal to the search for a solution on how to move on in the European Union. In particular, because it can be observed that some of the “old” Member States are undergoing an even more serious crisis, sometimes we could also say, a crisis of searching new identities or new directions in development for the future. Primarily as nations. Of course, the European Union as a whole has to deal with many more questions and different concepts; also regarding economy, having a more liberal or state protectionism. This is also related to the question on how much of a social state Europe could or would like to maintain. The question to follow is how to engage further in order to find a solution for some of the major problems in the world, such as climate change, elimination of poverty, issues that are being dealt with today by the G8 industrial nations. These are all questions we are not indifferent to and would therefore like to give our contribution to the future.”
Asked by the Slovene Press Agency (STA) journalist what his view was on the next financial perspective (assessment of the Hungarian proposal for the acceptance of a three-year transitional European Union Budget), the continuation of the constitutional ratification process and the uniform tax rate, President Drnovšek said:
“Regarding the financial perspective, I think we should make a serious attempt, put every effort into reaching an agreement on the overall financial perspective. If possible, already during Britain’s EU-presidency. I would not neglect the possibility of coming to an agreement for the whole period and at the moment I would not consider transitional solutions, such as a three-year period or similar. I think there is still enough time but I am aware that it will not be easy. After the failed discussions at the latest Summit in Brussels, the situation has become quite complicated, but nevertheless, has also its advantages. It also offers some new opportunities. As the previous proposal on the EU-budget or the financial perspective was based on a kind of inertia from the past, on the assumption that, maybe, we should make a breakthrough only in one point. Ie. the British concession regarding the rebate.
Well, the British remained firm in their decision and therefore opened the budget issue as a whole, the overall financial perspective, including common agricultural policy.
I believe that we have to discuss the issue as a whole and that we have to discuss also the agricultural policy.
The best solution which would be of a benefit to us all, to the European Union, would be the agreement on, for example, the British rebate to be abolished or at least substantially reduced and on the European agricultural policy to be modified as well.
Consequently, the funds would be reduced, in particular those earmarked for direct subventions, where both measures, the abolishment of the rebate and the modification of agricultural policy, would release additional funds for other purposes;
namely for development, research and for making some decisive steps towards boosting of the European competitiveness.
In this way, the Lisbon strategy would not be merely discussed but actually supported by funds and targeted measures.
The situation is difficult, but on the other hand, crises do open new options and by taking advantage of these options the outcome may be more favourable as if the crisis did not exist at all.
So much as the financial perspective is concerned.
As regards the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty, I believe, it has been suspended for a long time.
I can hardly imagine that in the near future the procedures be renewed.
It is also hard to believe that in the forthcoming years France and the Netherlands would repeat the referendum.
It is also difficult to imagine that in the foreseeable future a new agreement with respect to the Constitutional Treaty or a modified Constitutional Treaty be reached.
Even if we did succeed, there would again be a ratification issue, referenda and, considering the general climate currently prevailing in Europe, no success is guaranteed.
I believe this is also due to some countries, as previously said, undergoing a sort of crisis in searching new solutions and new identity.
Until the relevant issues are clarified within their own internal political discussion and subsequently together with other European Member States on the contents and mode of work in Europe, I see no point in repeating something that has failed, the public is not ready yet and only a significant turn of events would make the step ahead possible.
I expect present agreements, the Nice Treaty and other documents to remain in effect for quite some time.
This gives us time to deepen our reflections and discussions.
I hope that in the meantime the issue of financial perspective will be fruitfully solved, which would constitute an important element for the future and that at least currently pending enlargements be solved, i.e. Romania and Bulgaria, their negotiation process having reached a level where no step backward is possible, hopefully also Croatia.
At the same time, I hope that in spite of everything Europe finds enough convincing evidence to reassure the neighbouring countries, in particular South-Eastern Europe and Eastern Europe, and finally also to Turkey, that the way ahead is still open and that the European Union is to remain the main mediator and attraction for these countries to join the European reforms.
This is not an easy path, however, it is the only one available.
With regard to the single tax rate, I'd rather not make further comments since at the time being we are observing the Slovakian experience which are of great interest to us."
In reply to the question addressed by the journalist from Slovakia concerning the Slovenia membership in the Visegrad group, President Drnovšek told:
"Slovenia has developed a very good cooperation with all the Visegrad countries and indeed we are a kind of associated member.
In the past, the question of Slovenia's membership in the Visegrad group was occasionally raised, however, Slovenia did not receive any formal invitation and the countries considered themselves a historically conditioned group not intended to enlarge.
As regards Slovenia, both are acceptable to us.
The cooperation with Visegrad group as well as with other EU groups may be established in different ways.
As to such cooperation Slovenia remains open.
We support different ways and circles of communication and we are interested in being present in many groups rather than only in one.
And being present in the entire European Union."