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President Türk on a Working Visit to the Czech Republic

Prague, 16.3.2011  |  press release


The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, meets the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, today arrived on a working visit to the Czech Republic, where he was received by the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus.

President Türk signed the visitors book of Prague Castle and then had a longer one-to-one discussion with President Klaus.

The two heads of state assessed bilateral relations between the Czech Republic and Slovenia as excellent, which is partly due to the common tradition and similar historical experiences that link the two countries. They discussed political relations, and the excellent cooperation that has been established at all levels, and continued by focusing mainly on economic cooperation.

The Slovenian President, Danilo Türk, signs the visitors’ book of Prague Castle (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)They pointed to a positive, increasing trend in the volume of trade between the two countries, which is now approaching EUR 1 billion, and agreed that there are many more opportunities to enhance economic cooperation. President Klaus and President Türk were in agreement that the visit of a delegation of 55 Slovenian businessmen from 45 companies, accompanying President Türk on his visit, will contribute towards enhancing this cooperation.

President Türk recalled that Czechs and Slovenians had been part of a uniform economic area in the period of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The two agreed that, in the recent period, Central Europe has been developing in this direction, and that all forms of integration promoting economic cooperation among countries of the region must be furthered.

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, meets the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)President Klaus and President Türk emphasised the importance of Central Europe as a European region showing potential and providing numerous opportunities for economic cooperation, which have not yet been recognised and exploited to the appropriate extent. They also agreed that the European Union should ensure balanced development of all its regions.

President Türk said that he has been a long-time admirer of Czech industry, which was considered one of the most developed in Europe as early as the first half of the 20th century. He highlighted production of automotive components, production of mechanical equipment, mainly power plant turbines, and high technology as areas with strong potential for developing cooperation between the Czech Republic and Slovenia. He also added that Slovenia should make additional efforts to increase the flexibility of its labour market.

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, meets the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)The two presidents answered a press question on the plans of the two countries to extend their nuclear facilities in light of the recent natural disaster and related nuclear incidents in Japan. Both expressed their disagreement with the hasty and populist assessments about the dangers of nuclear energy that have appeared since the incidents in Japan. They added that, rather than adopting hasty political decisions and instigating panic, now would be the time to make a sober and informed analysis of the issues.

The two presidents also answered a question on their assessment of the European Union's policy towards Libya. President Türk highlighted the need for the European Union to develop a comprehensive approach to developments in Libya. President Klaus said that the first response of the EU had been satisfactory, but thorough consideration and a comprehensive approach would be needed in the future. The two agreed that Libya's destiny lies in the hands of its people.

The President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus, and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attend the Slovenian-Czech business conference (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)After the talks, President Türk and President Klaus attended the closing of the Slovenian-Czech business conference and addressed its participants. In their speeches, they advocated increased economic cooperation, which provides many opportunities. They also recalled that it is the responsibility of the political authorities to create conditions that enable mutual understanding and respect, and thus to provide the basis for economic cooperation.

In the afternoon, President Türk attended a presentation of the translation of his book Foundations of International Law, held at Charles University in Prague.
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